Nuwara Eliya

Heart of Ceylon Tea Country

Surrounding Nuwara Eliya are spectacular tea plantations carpeting the hills – this is the heart of Ceylon tea country. A must-do is to visit a tea factory where you can walk through fragrant rows of tea bushes, see the tea leaves being withered, rolled, and dried, and then enjoy a tasting of the freshest Ceylon tea. It's a wonderful sensory experience to sip hot tea while gazing at the very fields it came from.

Colonial Charm and Gardens

The town retains traces of colonial heritage: English-style gardens, old British cottages, a neat hedge-lined golf course, and a red-brick post office that looks like it was lifted from an English village. Victoria Park is a well-manicured park full of flowers perfect for a leisurely stroll, and Gregory Lake offers paddle boat rentals. Many historic hotels serve afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream, recalling a bygone era.

Scenic Train Journey

From Nuwara Eliya, you can embark on one of the world's most scenic train rides: the highland train journey through tea country. The section between Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya station) and Ella is especially famous – the train chugs over bridges and through tunnels with panoramic views of misty mountains, tea terraces, and waterfalls. The cool climate provides a refreshing break from tropical lowlands.