Lake Gregory is one of the significant tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya. It was built by the Governor William Gregory during 1872 – 1877 periods by utilizing the water from the Nanuoya which runs across the town. It is about 91.2 hectares in extent. It was said to be used for water sports and for re-recreational activities during the British rule.
The course is one of the most naturally scenic in the world. It starts from one corner of the town and is nestled into the valley, between the town and the surrounding forested hills.When approaching via Kandy , it is one of the first views the visitor has of Nuwara Eliya.
The Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya said to be named to comorate the 60th Jubilee Coronation of Queen Victoria in the year 1897. Originally the park was used as the research field of Haggala Botanical Garden which is located about 04 km away from the city centre. It is known that this park was established by planting an Oak tree by a German Princes who visited Nuwara Eliya at the latter part of the 19th Century.
A beautiful land area covering an extent of 57.6 hectares of land in Nuwara Eliya had been gazetted as a Bird sanctuary in the year 1938. This bird sanctuary attracts about 20 species of very rare foreign birds and about 30 species of Sri Lankan birds. Most of the endemic bird species as well as migrant bird species could be seen at this sanctuary. In addition to the birds this park has valuable tree species of both foreign and local.
Mountain – Piduruthalagala is the highest point in Sri Lanka, overlooking the town to the north. You cannot walk to the top anymore but there is a small path off Water field Drive that leads to a waterfall. From there, the hikers can follow the river up via seven more waterfalls – a neat hike for adventurous folk! This journey goes as far as the 7000 foot marker.
Ambewela is one of beautiful places of Sri Lanka and it’s situated at Nuwaraeliya district. Ambewela has highest and widest grass grounds of Sri Lanka. Milko and Highland full cream milk powder factory is situated at Ambewela. One and only Sri Lankan milk powder factory is it. New Zealand farm is also at Ambewela. New Zealand farm has Cows, Bulls, Rabbits, Pigs, Hens, Cocks and gouts and many more animals and lot of products are manufactured buy Ambewela farm. Cheese, Butter and many milk products are manufactured buy it. Widest grasses ground also at Ambewela farm. You can see lot of bulls and cows in there. And getting milk using machines at 12:30 noon in Ambewela farm.
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.
Kande Ela Reservoir is is a tranquil lake surrounded by hills from on side and the Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve from the other side on the route to Pattipola from Nuwara Eliya.
The lake also known as Meepilimana Reservoir is situated about 10km or 30 minute drive from Nuwara Eliya on the route to Horton Plains is an ideal place to spend few hours on a trip to Nuwara Eliya. We went to the center of the lake pretty quick and we had to come back to the shore against the wind. The 2 oarsmen in the boat had to peddle it non stop since the moment you stop, the wind carries it back to the center. We offered to help them and took turns in rowing which they happily accepted. The people who operate these boats have been doing this for decades and are seasoned to this strenuous task, but we came back to shore with frozen and sore shoulders.
On the slopes of the majestic Kikiliyamana, one of the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, lies the village of Shanthipura. This is the highest village in the entire island, located at an altitude of 7339 feet on the Kikiliyamana Mountain road from Nuwara Eliya.
On reaching Shanthipura, visitors are greeted by the small but beautiful Buddhist pagoda which makes the centerpiece of the village at the tallest place; surrounded by the villagers’ houses in differing altitudes. They will also get to see the villagers’ lifestyles and the interesting methods they use to farm on the slopes.
There is also a point known as Kalapura within the village of Shanthipura, that provides the perfect viewing point for the surrounding landscape. From the observation deck here, those who come to see the village can gain spectacular views of Pidurutalagala Mountain, Adam’s Peak, Gregory’s Lake, Hakgala Mountain, Nuwara Eliya town and Kikiliyamana Mountain. The spot is very photogenic and makes for some great memories.
Amongst the jagged peaks of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka; are the surprisingly beautiful and vast slopes of the Moon Plains. Located just off the Nuwara Eliya city; this is a most recently opened attraction. Covered in a verdant carpet of healthy grass; the Moon Plains are home to many wildlife elk, wild buffaloes, dear, the occasional leopard and many types of birds. However, the main point of interest is the viewpoint of the ‘Mini World’s End’. A location on the apex of a sharply dropping cliff, that gives a 360º view of the surrounding landscape.
Sri Seethai Amman temple is a unique temple it has been made at the place where Seeta Mata spent her days in the prison of Ravana aprox 5000 years ago. It is also unique in a way that it is one of the very few temples dedicated to Seeta. The temple is located between Nuwara Eliya & Hakgala
