Nuwara Eliya is a city, in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city name meaning is “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”. The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya’s climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England then, was also a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting,elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.
Although the town was founded in the 19th century by the British, the whole district is today visited by native travelers, specially during the month of April, the season of flowers, pony races, go cart races and auto rally.
Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen’s Cottage, General’s House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, Town Post Office and even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Anyone who visits the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting these landmark buildings. Many private homes still maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens. Due to its highland location, Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb), with a mean annual temperature of 16 °C (61 °F).
In the winter months it is quite cold at night, and there can even be frost. However, it rapidly warms up as the tropical sun climbs higher during the day.
There are many popular water falls around the town. Many could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking expeditions.
Ramboda Falls – 329 ft. is also an attraction in this area
Devon Falls drops 97 metres and is named after Devon, a pioneer coffee planter. It is 6 Km west of Thalawakelle and there is a special parking and view
Laksapana Falls – off the Nuwara Eliya – Kandapola Road.
The Nuwara Eliya beer is brewed from the water of the stream. Nuwara Eliya offers good adventure sport locations because of it’s landscape.
Pidurutalagala (2550m) Highest mountain peak of Sri Lanka is just north of the town. Though the summit is not open to the public, hiking is possible up to 7000ft. There are several water falls along the track.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park was established in 1897 as for the jubilee of Queen Victoria in completion of sixty years on here thorn. The park is within the city limits and it has become a must see location anyone who visit Nuwara Eliya. During the summer the park is filled with colorful roses and various flowers where you wont be able to see them in any other city of Sri Lanka.
Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake is located about one kilometer away from Nuwara Eliya town and built during the year 1874 by the governor Gregory. By stopping the “Thalagala” stream which starts from the “Piduruthalagala” mountain. It is believed that the main intention of building this Lake is to generate Electricity to the town. The water was taken away up to a place called “black pool” using a tunnel and has generated Electricity there.
Hakgalla Gardens
Hakgalla Garden is located along Nuwara Eliya ~ Badulla road (along Kandy~Ramboda) This place is 5581 feet high from the sea level. It is said that the King “Rawana” used this place as a herbal garden.
This place was started as a Botanical garden by British botanist Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites who was the director of “Peradiniya Botanical Garden “ in the year of 1859. Initially they grew “ sinkona” which was used to produce “ quiveenen” for malaria. There are more than 60000 species of plants have planted here. During the summer season this one of the most scenic places of Nuwara Eliya.
With the cool climate of Nuwra Eliya many differnt kinds of plants from differnt parts of the world can be seen. For example conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda cypresses from the Himalayas English oak are some of the highlights.
The largest tea bush of Sri Lanka
This word famous tea bush of Sri Lanka is 44 feet (13.4 meters) wide. This was planted in the year of 1840. This tea bush is located in the 7th division of “Gonapitiya tea estate”. You can evident this magnificent tea bush by traveling along Nuwara Eliya Raagala road and near the 17 kilometer post at the junction of Bruk side turn to left and travel 13 kilometers of this road to reach the place called “Gonapitiya”.
