The British architecture of Nuwara Eliya paints a fascinating picture with its celebrated buildings such as the distinctively red-bricked post office situated in the city centre. Queens Cottage or the President’s House as well as the Prime Minister’s house, St Xavier’s Church- oldest in Nuwara Eliya-, and many a stone-made bungalows warrant a visit.

The train ride from Colombo stops at Nanuoya station, a few kilometres shy from the city of Nuwara Eliya. It snakes past the beautiful hills that are covered with eye-pleasing green tea bushes, allowing a view of the waterfalls plummeting down the large rocks awakening mesmerizing reminiscence of a brides’ veil.

An ideal place for recreation and relaxation, the Gregory Lake is a man-made structure in the late 1800s by the then ruling English. Today you can enjoy the beautiful flower garden surrounding it, experience a pony ride, or even try rowing your own boat. The shops and restaurants in the vicinity provide seated refreshment.

The hill country is well known for Sri Lanka’s crown jewel of export, Ceylon tea. Another invention by the English, tea estates adorn the hill side everywhere you look. Visit one of them to experience a tea tasting or a tea-plucking session with the lovely ladies from the estates. .

Each tea estate has its own tea factory where the tea leaves are dried, processed and readied for packaging. The unique smell of tea leaves being blanched is common in and around Nuwara Eliya. Most factories provide you an opportunity to visit them and take part in a tea tasting session.