Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Travel & Accommodation Guide

Nuwara Eliya or City of Light is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 m and is the most visited hill station of the island.
No wonder, since it means a break from the oppressive heat and humidity that surrounds the rest of Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya was found by a group of British officers during the earlier part of the 19th century, who as the story goes, had gotten lost while elephant hunting. The British governor at the time, Sir Edward Barnes, was told about this little town and subsequently decided to take residence there, soon creating a health resort, which soon became internationally renown.

Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by a seemingly endless array of tea plantations populated by tea pickers who are almost exclusively Indian Tamils, who are distinct from the Ceylonese Tamils who live in the Northeast of the country.

Nuwara Eliya is an ideal starting point for day trips to tea plantations, Kandy, Horton's Plains, World's End and Ella.

The center of Nuwara Eliya is a modern, busy city with markets, department stores and fast food outlets but the outskirts are like a journey into the past.
Colonial villas, rose gardens, a 18 hole golf course and country-club-styled hotels are the perfect background for a unforgettable stay.

The most stunning way to travel to Nuwara Eliya is by observation carriage which leaves either from Colombo or Kandy railway station. Advance booking is recommended.

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka is located 200 km from Sri Lanka's international airport and 233 km from Colombo.
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For more travel and background information on Sri Lanka, read our Sri Lanka Guide and the travel tips, helping you to make the most out of your holiday in Sri Lanka.