Nuwaraeliya is the main city located in the hill country of the Sri Lanka and located in the Central part of the country and around 170Km (5 hours) away from the Colombo City. Nuwaraeliya is known as the “Little England” due to the colonial architectural designs, city planning, landscape and climatic conditions. Nuwaraeliya is the main city located in the highest altitude in Sri Lanka which is around 1868 m (6128 ft) and the highest mountain of the country, mount Pidurutalagala (2524m) located close proximity to the city. Mean annual temperature is around 16° C and lowest recorded temperature is -2.6 ° C.
Nuwara Eliya is one of the main tourist attractions of Sri Lanka, because of the amazing landscape, temperate climate, greenish environment and the beautiful tea gardens. Early morning and the evening most of the destinations could cover with the mist.so must select a proper time to visit the attractions in the Nuwara Eliya. Winter clothing required for some months of the year and readily available in the Nuwara Eliya city for a cheap price.
01. Gregory park
Gregory Park is the main attraction in the Nuwara Eliya city and surrounded by the Gregory Lake built during the British period in 1873 by the Governor William Gregory. Water sports activities such as boat ride, Jet Ski ride, swan boat and speed boating are popular among the local and foreign visitors. Victoria Park, Golf club, Royal turf club, Old Post office building are other attractions located in the Nuwara Eliya city.
02. Hakgala botanical garden
Hakgala botanical garden is located around 10Km away from the Nuwara Eliya city and it was established in 1861 during the British colonial period. Varies types of flowering plants are available in here and Roses, orchid and Ferns are the most prominent. Ticket counters are open from 7.30 am to 5.00 pm.
03. Horton plains national park
Horton plains national park is located 32 Km away from the Nuwara Eliya City and elevation is around 2100m to 2300m.Biodiversity of the park is immense and many of the endemic flora and fauna can only be seen in the Horton plains. Sri Lankan Leopard & Sri Lankan Sambar deer are the prominent mammals in here. Central highland of the Sri Lanka is a UNESCO world heritage declared in the 2010 and Horton plains is a part of it.
World’s End is a sheer cliff with a drop of 1200m and famous among the visitors. Baker’s fall is an attraction to the national park. The Regular hike in the Horton plains is around 9Km and will takes around 3 to 4 hours depend on the physical strength. Ticket counters are open from 6.00 am to 4.00 pm.Best time to start the tour by early morning to avoid the heat, fog, traffic and crowd.
04. Tea factories & estates
Tea Factories and Estates are one of the main attractions in the Nuwara Eliya. Coffee was the initial crop of the British planters. But due to the Coffee blight most of the plantations were destroyed. In 1867 Tea was introduce to the Sri Lanka by James Taylor and became popular among the planters. Sri Lankan Tea or the “Ceylon Tea” considered as the best quality tea in the world. You may see beautiful greenish tea plantations around the Nuwara Eliya area. Damro Tea, Glenloch, Blue Field and Pedro are the best tea factories which you may visit in Nuwara Eliya.
05. Seetha amman hindu temple
Seetha Amman Hindu shrine is located in the Seetha Eliya area around 8 Km away from the Nuwaraeliya city. According to the epic of Ramayana King Ravana abducted the Seetha, the consort of the lord Ram in ancient India. This place is believed to be the place where the Seetha was held by the king Ravana.Ashoka Vatika was believe to be located in the Hakgala forest area which is few distance away from the temple. So this Place is one of the main attractions among the Hindu devotees.