Founded in 1846 and just under three hours´ drive east of Colombo, the country´s highest town (1,868 meters/6,128 feet above sea level) was once a colonial "hill station," where the Brits decamped to escape the heat of the lowlands because of its cool and relaxing climate. It´s still fairly modest in size - with a population of around 28,000 - and provides a wonderful detox from the urban hurly-burly, with an ambiance still reminiscent of "Little England," with Tudor style houses ad bungalows, well maintained lawns, and tended hedgerows. Major attractions include Gregory Lake (pictured here), Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Bale Bazaar, Victoria Park, and the historic local golf club and racecourse. Another charming feature is various tea plantations dotted across the rolling hills, some of which visitors can tour and learn about various aspects of traditional tea production, which is still important to Nuwara Eliya today.
Read more in Tripatini contributor Travel Guide´s post Stupendous Sri Lanka and 7 of its Tp Destinations.
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