Named “the little England” for its resemblance to the British territory of the same name.
Nuwara Eliya, lying on the shore of Lake Gregory, is said to have been founded by a couple of British officers who apparently were lost during an elephant hunt.
British governor Sir Edward Barnes was informed of the city and he himself decided to reside in Nuwara Eliya and consequently create an internationally renowned spa.
The city was later the final destination of English pastimes such as golf, fox hunting, polo, etc.
Commercial cultivation began in Ceylon in 1867.
Reflecting on the bold initiative, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stated that “… the Nuwara Eliya tea fields of Ceylon are a true monument to courage like the Lion of Waterloo”.
James Taylor, a Scotsman, played a significant role in development.
Perfectionist by nature, Taylor experimented with the cultivation and manipulation of leaves to get the best possible flavor from the leaves.
Taylor’s methods were emulated by other planters and soon, Ceylon tea was welcomed by buyers in London, showing that Nuwara Eliya tea could be a profitable plantation crop.
Nuwara Eliya also has archaeological significance in the prehistoric human remains encountered nearby.
The city reflects the colonial period well, even the new stylishly furnished hotels such as the Golf Club or the Hill Club.
Nuwara Eliya is now a modern and popular city with hotels, restaurants and department stores.
However, the further you get away from the crowded city, the more you will revisit the past.
You’ll find a variety of recreational activities in this beautiful city, Nuwara Eliya is known for having the best 18-hole golf course in Asia and it’s not all horseback riding, boating, bird watching and hiking are just some of the many fun things you can do.
Natives usually tend to visit the hilly area during the summer, only to escape the excess humidity that accompanies the heat since Nuwara Eliya has an average temperature of 16 degrees and can sometimes drop to extreme conditions such as 3 degrees due to the high altitudes.
Due to the elevation, the vegetation is temperate and European fruit and vegetables are grown.
Although part of an important tea growing region, the city is also a market center for rubber, vegetables, rice and fish.
The healthy climate has led to its development as a hillside resort and spa.
It is the site of a meteorological observatory.
Sri Lanka is indeed the perfect place for children and for people who like animals and nature.
This country is incredibly green.
It is impossible not to find elephant herds on safari or even on the same road traveling.
It is also very easy to see leopards, macaques and other types of monkeys, giant squirrels, jackals, etc. etc
Furthermore, walking with children and adults through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is a delight. Along with the giant trees and millions of plants, we will also find monkeys and other animals in this immense place.
