Around Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is unlike most of the destinations you’re likely to visit in Sri Lanka.  Situated in the Hill Country at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) , the city is at the heart of Sri Lanka’s important tea growing industry.  It’s also the country’s most important center for vegetable growth.  In fact, the farm land on which vegetables are grown is more expensive than much of the land in nation’s capital of Colombo.

The city was developed by the British during the period of Colonial occupation in the 19th century.  Besides its importance as a tea growing area to the British, the cool temperate climate appealed to them as it was similar to that back home.  Nuwara Eliya became a center of holidaying for the British, and many of their interests were catered to here, including their love of horse racing and golf.  We’ve previously featured the town’s post office and Grand Hotel on TravelGumbo.

The area has a diverse religious background, with many Tamils, Buddhists and even significant Christian and Muslim populations.  I’ve spent many days and nights in Nuwara Eliya and always enjoyed myself, perhaps because it is not an obvious tourist hot spot.

For a list of DrFumblefingers blog posts on Sri Lanka, please click on this link.