Top 3 Must See Places in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a mountainous city in Sri Lanka, located southeast of Kandy, at an altitude of 1,889 meters. It is the highest point in Sri Lanka. Known as Asia's Garden City, Nuwara Eliya is one of Sri Lanka's most important tea producing areas. Nuwara Eliya has many attractive scenic spots. Here are the top 3 must see places in Nuwara Eliya where you can learn about the beauty of this city.
Macwoods Tea Factory
Located at Queen Elizabeth Drive, Queen Elizabeth Plaza, Nuwara Eliya, Mackwoods Tea Factory is the most famous tea factory in Nuwara Eliya, which is also one of the largest and most renowned tea factories in Sri Lanka. The Mackwoods tea factory is one of the must see places in Nuwara Eliya. It has now been sold by the original British company to a local company and renamed Damro Tea. This brand of alpine black tea has a history of 160 years, and it owns several tea plantations.
Go into the Mackwoods tea factory, and there are many tea pickers picking tea leaves high up in the mountains, the hills are covered with green tea. A staff member will show the production line and explain the process from drying to sorting to selling the finished products. The tour of the tea garden is free of charge, and the tea factory staff will lead the tour and explain the tea making process. Because of the geographical and climatic reasons, the tea mountain is often raining and foggy. Looking at the distance of the tea mountain, it's a relaxing and happy time.
The tea house is built between the woods, opposite the endless tea garden. The tea garden has a showroom where visitors can learn all the processes of making black tea and the breakdown of black tea grades through pictures. The best tea here is gold tea, followed by silver tea. Other tea leaves are divided according to whether the leaves are whole or broken. Tea leaves can be made into tea bags or tea powder for sale.
It takes only one day for Ceylon black tea to be made into finished products from picking and receiving. According to the integrity and size of the tea, it can be divided into OP, BOP, and BOPF. These different grades of tea are used for making tea, milk tea, or food. After that, tourists can visit the tea garden. The tea factory has a very well-designed tea house where the visitor can taste tea. Just ordering a brownie cake, a waiter will bring delicious Ceylon black tea and then the visitor can enjoy the afternoon tea here.
Black tea is the most famous specialty in Sri Lanka. Mackwoods is the most famous black tea brand; it produces the best quality of black tea, which is the freshest products sold in the tea garden. Mackwoods black tea is only sold in the tea factory and designated shops, the visitor could buy the cheapest tea in the factory, and it is recommended to buy directly after visiting the tea factory.
♦ How to get to the Mackwoods Tea Factory
The tea factory is about an hour's drive from Nuwara Eliya. The visitor can rent a Tuk-tuk car. The cost is about 600-1000Rs. The visitor could also rent a private car and get to the Mackwoods Tea Factory.
♦ Tips
It's better to visit the Mackwoods Tea Factory before 15:00 pm, as most tea pickers will finish work and go home after 15:00 pm.
A tip of 50 rupees is usually required for a photo of a tea picker or with a tea picker.
Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake, the largest lake in the town, is located in the center of the town of Nuwara Eliya. It has become a popular tourist attraction and one of the must see places in Nuwara Eliya. Early in the morning and late in the evening, wild birds gather around the lake.
Gregory Lake is an artificial lake built by governor Gregory in 1874. The whole lake covers an area of about 91 hectares. It is obtained by introducing the water of the Nuwara River of Nagregori Lake through a tunnel. On the way to the Lake District, there is a racetrack passing Nuwara Eliya, where horses can be seen, and tourists can also ride horses here. There is a walkway around the lake, surrounded by various grades of fine accommodation. Visitors could walk in the green spaces and river banks. It's good to picnic at the corner of the river, there are picnic tables or boating on the lake.
♦ How to get to the Gregory Lake
The visitor could rent a Tuk-tuk car and drive from Nuwara Eliya town center to the Gregory Lake. The entrance fee of the lake is 200Rs. There is an extra charge to charter a boat or riding a horse beside the lake.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a gorgeous town park located in the city center of Nuwara Eliya. The park was originally a research area of the Hakgala Botanical Garden, and was later established after the German prince's visit. After 1897, in order to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's ascension, it was renamed Victoria Park.
Victoria Park is very quiet. In addition to the blooming flowers here, the visitor can also see many small animals, especially birds, such as Indian robin, turtledove, Indo-Flycatcher, etc. Therefore, Victoria Garden is a very famous bird watching area. In addition, there is a small children's amusement center in the park. Many Siri Lankans come to the park for picnics and family gatherings, especially when the kids are out of school.
This is a very British style park, and it's also a quiet place to enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery. Victoria Park has become a must see place in Nuwara Eliya.
♦ How to get to Victoria Park
Victoria Park is within walking distance of the Nuwara Eliya bus station. The entrance fee of the lake is 300Rs.