NUWARA-ELIYA
Area: Sri Lanka
Country: Sri Lanka


Location:
In heart of S_central hill-country region, 80 miles E of Colombo, 95 miles SE of Bandaranaike international airport. 48 miles SE of Kandy.

Telephone code from UK:
94 52

Position:
Set among terraced tea plantations and farmland.

Description:
An atmospheric old colonial town, built by the British as their centre of tea production. It stands in the heart of the highland region with its tea plantations, tea factories, fertile farmland and waterfalls. Affectionately known as "Little England" on account of its cool, often wet climate, familiar locally grown produce, golf course, trout fishing and a number of impressive old residences.

Suitability:
Normally used as a short-stay base for excursions or as an overnight stopover by tour groups.

Accommodation:
A small band of converted colonial plantation mansions and a converted tea factory.

Shopping:
Unsophisticated. Limited to plethora of fine local teas, handicrafts and usual souvenir paraphernalia. Market offering variety of fleece jackets to tourists who did not expect the chilly mountain temperatures; fresh fruit and vegetables superior to any found in a market back home.

Entertainments:
Daytime: tours of tea plantations and hill country; golf; trout fishing. Nightlife: generally low-key and hotel based.

Eating:
A few local restaurants but most tourist meals are in hotels.

Public-transport:
Trains to Kandy and Colombo. Motorised rickshaws and taxis in centre. Bone-shaker buses to outlying villages.

Local-excursions:
Full day: Kandy; Sigiriya and Dambulla; Colombo.