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Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, the “city of lights,” is the highest town in Sri Lanka and that means a break from the oppressive heat and humidity that surrounds the rest of the country. It is surrounded by lush tea plantations. It is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry.
This city with an elevation of 6200 meters is the highest in Sri Lanka. The town is still very much an English town was built entirely during the 19th century with many English style bungalows and buildings with red-brick walls, country house like hill club and mock-Tudor half-timbering.
Temperatures are 14°C-21°C (Jan- April) 16°C-18°C (May-Aug) 15°C- 18°C (Sept-Dec). Nuwara Eliya is a good escape for those who miss cool breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at any time of the year. Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to tea plantations, golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and of course exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and three of the highest mountains in the country – Piduruthalagala, the Great Western and Hakgala.
Places to visit in Nuwara Eliya
- Horton Plains
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. The Horton Plains are the headwaters of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe. In Sinhala the plains are known as Maha Eliya Plains. Stone tools dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The plains’ vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest, and includes many endemic woody plants. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. Forest dieback is one of the major threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon.
- Hakgala Botanical Garden
Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated on the Nuwara Eliya – Badulla main road, 16 km from Nuwara Eliya. It was established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka. Once after the Tea replace the Cinchona, it was turned into an experimental Tea cultivation. In 1884 it transformed into a garden since then many sub – tropical and some temperate plants were planted in the gardens. Now the garden is famous for number of species of Orchids and Roses.· Hakgala Botanical Garden
Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated on the Nuwara Eliya – Badulla main road, 16 km from Nuwara Eliya. It was established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka. Once after the Tea replace the Cinchona, it was turned into an experimental Tea cultivation. In 1884 it transformed into a garden since then many sub – tropical and some temperate plants were planted in the gardens. Now the garden is famous for number of species of Orchids and Roses.
The climate of the Hakgala area, where the mean temperature is around 16ºC, is perfect for temperate-zone plants, both ornamental and useful. These include conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda and Japan, and cypresses from the Himalayas, China and as far as Persia, Mexico and California. New Caledonia gave Hakgala a special variety of pine, and there are specimens of this genus from the Canary Islands as well. An English oak, introduced around 1890, commemorates the “hearts of oak” of Britain’s vaunted sea power. There is also an excellent specimen of the camphor tree, whose habitat is usually in regions above 12,000 m elevation. The fern’s delicate fronds conjure up visions of misty grottoes, lichen-covered stones and meandering streams.
In the Rose Garden, you can experience the sights and scents of these glorious blooms in their infinite variety. From here it is a short stroll to the exotic sophistication of the Orchid House. A special attraction here is the variety of mountain orchids, many of them endemic to Sri Lanka. The languid low-country lotus and water lily also float in serene loveliness, emerging from a background of floating leaves to evoke the calm of saffron-robed monks, white-clad devotees and flickering oil lamps.
· Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
Proud of its century old heritage
hidden amidst tea estates and misty hills, the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is a
favorite destination among keen golfers as well as beginners who come on
vacation to the hill station. The 18-hole Golf Course and its Club House has a
members club while visitors are welcome at all times. Boasting of one of the
finest Golf experiences, the Golf Club offers accommodation as well as dining
options while the bar and lounges are open to visitors as well. Dress codes and
Golf standards should be adhered at all times. Play golf in Nuwara Eliya and
you’ll be transported back in time a hundred years to Sri Lanka’s colonial
days. At times you might even feel like you’re in the Scottish Highlands.
· Seetha Amman Temple
Driving down the winding roads of
Nuwara Eliya, away from the main town, there’s a noticeable change in the
surrounding area. Thick forests line along the sides of the bendy roads. Seetha
Amman Temple is located here, on one of the narrow bends. There’s no proper
sign or entrance so it’s most often missed due to its subtlety. The location of
the temple is really beautiful. Dense jungles provide a picturesque backdrop
behind the vibrant temple. According to Hindu mythology, this is where Princess
Seetha was held captive by King Ravana. The bubbly stream is believed to be
where Princess Seetha bathed, gushes alongside the temple. The Seetha Amman
kovil is a quaint little temple with statues of Rama, Seetha, Hanuman,
Lakshmana and Sugriva. Its distinguishing factor is that it is the only Kovil
in the world dedicated to the Goddess Seetha.
· Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake is located about one
kilometer away from Nuwara Eliya town. It was constructed under the period of
British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. This is the most prominent
attraction place in Nuwara Eliya and all the visitors used to come here and spend
some time by the lake and relax. This was used as a place for water sports and
for recreational activities during the British time. It’s a beautiful
experience to see the sun set at one end and the lake at another. It’s a
breathtaking view. You can also go
boating and rowing. Also you can go for horse riding around the lake.
· Victoria Park
The Queen Victoria Park is located by
the Nuwara Eliya City center and one of the most visited attraction. This park
was named to commemorate the 60th Jubilee Coronation of Queen Victoria in the
year 1897. The park covers 27 acres of land. Victoria Park is a place to relax
and enjoy the natural sights and clean mountain air. This place is famous for
bird watching where bird lovers would spend long hours. There are large varieties of plants and trees
available and also a children park to play.
· Labookelle Tea Estate
Mackwoods Labookelle Tea Centre,
situated approximately 1500 meters above sea level in the heart of Labookelle
Estate, one of the finest tea plantations in Sri Lanka, is today a popular stop
in an international travelers itinerary providing an opportunity to experience
Mackwoods Tea at its best in the salubrious hill country climate as well as
providing an instructive glimpse of the manufacture of Ceylon Tea. The
Labookelle Tea Centre which has for long been a popular land mark amongst both
locals and tourists to Nuwara-Eliya from Kandy for their requirements of garden
fresh high quality tea.
· Pedro Tea Estates
Pedro Tea Estate at Boralanda, 3 km
away from city still uses some original machinery and is less commercialized
than other estates. There are some very pleasant walks through the plantations
here, especially down to the tank and to Bomburu Ella.
· Soft adventure at Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya’s scenic mountainous
terrain provides visitors with numerous hiking possibilities. Mount Pedro or
Pidurutalgala rising to a height of 2555 meters above the sea level is a great
place for hiking enthusiasts, although the summit isn’t open to the public,
Waterfalls around Nuwara Eliya make the hiking and trekking all the more
pleasant. Ramboda Falls, Devon Falls, Lover’s Leap Falls are to name a few. The
Turf Club is also located within the city and affords visitors horse riding and
Pony riding. Boating opportunities are made possible by the boat house at Lake
Gregory.
Water Falls around Nuwara Eliya
There are many popular waterfalls around the town.
Many could be visited as a part of trekking and or hiking expeditions.
· Ramboda Falls
Ramboda Falls is located by the small
city Pussellawa, the A5 highway ( Pussellawa- Nuwara Eliya road). Ramboda falls
consists of three sections. You will get a good view of the middle section from
the A5 highway, just above the bridge. This is very small in size with compared
to other parts. You can get a far view of the top part from the main road, but
not the complete view of the fall. You need to climb up to see the top part of
the Ramboda falls and there is a pathway just before the bridge. You may find
the climbing bit difficult, but you will be compensated with the great view of
the top fall and the surrounding. The bottom part of the Ramboda falls is
located under the bridge. If you need to see the full section of the bottom
fall, you need to walk down from there to reach the lower waterfall. This is
call Ramboda basin.
· Lover’s Leap
A young prince and the girl he loved held hands and jumped off the waterfall at the mountain of Piduruthalagala when the soldiers of the king, tried to drag him back to the palace by force. History
does not record their names, but since that fateful escapade the waterfall
nearby is called Lover’s Leap. To this day, every drop of water that cascades
down the sloping rocks to the pool below is a eulogy to their undying love.
This is off the Nuwara Eliya – Kandapola Road. The waters are taken to brew the
famous Nuwara Eliya Beer.
· Devon Falls (named after Devon, a pioneer coffee planter)
Devon Falls is one of the most
popular waterfall in the country especially due its clear view from the popular
Hatton – Nuwara Eliya Road. The best view is from Dimbula where a special
viewpoint is located with parking facilities. On the other side of the road is
the famous Mlesna Tea Center where you could have a fresh cup of tea. Almost
everyone who travels on this road to Nuwara Eliya is bound to at least break
rest here before continuing the journey.
· St. Clair Waterfall
St. Clair Waterfall can be easily
viewed from just 3 km away from the Thalawakele Town, in Hatton – Thalawakele
main road (A7 road, Nuwara Eliya – Awissawella Road). The name given, because
this fall is located in St. Clair Tea estate. .
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