Nuwara Eliya, other wise known as “Little England”, is a hilly city in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. The name translates to “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”. The city is the administrative headquarters of Nuwara Eliya District and has a beautiful environment and a moderate temperature. It is located at a height of 1,868 metres (6,128 feet) and is regarded as Sri Lanka’s most significant tea producing site. Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest peak, towers above the city. Nuwara Eliya is known for having the coldest climate in Sri Lanka.
(By (Heinrich) Wagner & (Ernst) Debes, Leipzig. – Baedeker, Karl: Indien. Handbuch für Reisende. Verlag Karl Baedeker, Leipzig, 1914, S. 46 f., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56686926)
History
Samuel Baker, the explorer of Lake Albert and the Upper Nile, founded the settlement in 1846. Nuwara Eliya, often known as Little England, was a hill country getaway where British colonists could indulge in their favorite hobbies such as polo, golf, cricket, and hunting. Many of the structures, including the Queen’s Cottage, General’s House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, St Andrew’s Hotel, and Town Post Office, have the colonial architectural aspects to them.
By Dan arndt – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50479073
Attractions and Activities
An appealing and frequently visited haven is “Victoria Park”. The pied thrush, scaly thrush, and Indian blue robin, which are known to hide in the thicker undergrowth, are among the species that birdwatchers find most interesting to observe during slower tempos. Another striking bird species in the area is the Kashmir flycatcher.
Located near Lake Gregory in a montane forest a few kilometers east of the town is “Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary”. Its 0.6 km2 of land is home to several indigenous bird and animals.
“Horton Plains National Park” is an important place for biodiversity in an open grassland woods. The endemic purple-faced langur, sambar, and leopard are among the species present in this area. The dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and yellow-eared bulbul are examples of endemic highland birds.
“World’s End”, a steep cliff with a 1050 m drop, is a popular tourist destination on the plains. Baker’s Falls is a picturesque location on the trek back. The ideal time to come is early in the morning, when mists start to roll in and you can see World’s End and the wildlife before they disappear.
The extensive cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that are often associated with temperate Europe is one of the unique characteristics of Nuwara Eliya’s countryside. The higher slopes of this “Little England” are covered with terraces bearing potatoes, carrots, leeks, and roses, dotted with tea plants.
Some of the world’s best orange pekoe “Tea” is produced by the slow-growing tea plants in this highland location. Around Nuwara Eliya, there are several tea factories that provide guided tours as well as the chance to buy their teas.
A short stroll from Nuwara Eliya town lies the breathtaking waterfall known as “Lovers Leap,” surrounded by tea plantations. It plunges 30 meters below the surface into a lengthy, watery cascade. It is rumored that the name came from a young couple who chose to jump from the cliff and died, thus sealing their eternal bond.
“Seetha Kovil”, in Seetha Eliya, is home to a Hindu temple, with a legendary connection to the epic of Ramayana. It can be found before arriving at the Hakgala Botanical Garden on the route from Nuwara Eliya to Badulla. According to legend, Princess Seetha, the Queen of Lord King Rama, was abducted by the powerful ruler Ravana, who hid her where the temple currently stands.
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