Nuwara Eliya, meaning ‘City of Light’, is often referred to as ‘Little England’ by the Sri Lankan tourism industry. This town located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka is one of the major tea producing regions of the world. Nuwara Eliya is dominated by the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, Pidurutalagala that offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding hills. If you are looking forward to Sri Lanka holidays to relax for a few days in the lap of nature, Nuwara Eliya is the destination for you. Here are a few of top attractions of Nuwara Eliya, to make your Sri Lanka holiday memorable.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is spread across 27 acres of land and is one of the most visited attractions of Nuwara Eliya. The park was named after Queen Victoria to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee, in 1897. This place is a paradise for admirers of flora and fauna. The park is home to a wide array of species of plants and trees; and is a very famous spot for bird watching. Victoria Park comes alive in the month of April with colourful flowers blooming all around. If you are planning a trip with your kids, this place is going to be your kids’ favourite.
Gregory Lake
Named after the British Governor Sir William Gregory who built this lake in 1873, Lake Gregory presents a picturesque setting with small hills that run alongside it. The serenity of the place is simply spectacular which draws visitors in large numbers; the lake is most crowded in the month of April. Lake Gregory offers plenty of water sports and other activities for the visitors of all age groups. Take a boat ride or simply explore the area on a leisurely stroll through the green stretches of the lake side park. You can either spend a couple of hours here or stay at one of the several hotels around. For a quick getaway from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, you can use seaplane service offered by Cinnamon Air and Sri Lankan Airlines, which connect Nuwara Eliya in 30 minutes and land at Lake Gregory.
Hakgala Gardens
Hakagala gardens were established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka. In 1884 it was transformed to a garden with more than ten thousand subtropical and some temperate species of plants. The garden is open 365 days of the year; however, the best time for you to visit the garden would be from mid March till the end of April. The garden lies under the shadow of a huge rock, which is in the shape of an elephant jaw. Hakgala Rock means Elephant’s jaw rock, and that’s where the garden got its name from. You can enjoy a stroll here for at least a couple of hours and sooth your eyes with the nature’s preserved beauty.
