| Population: 147,000 | District: Kandy | Typical Weather: Cool | Dist. from Colombo: 116 km |
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Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is our most beautiful town. It is 488 metres above sea level and next to Colombo is Sri Lanka's most visited place. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Major restoration work is in progress here by the UNESCO - aided Central Cultural Fund. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession accompanied by exotically costumed dancers, drummers and about 80 to 100 elephants during ten glittering nights in July/August. Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley 8 km. from Kandy, where descendants of the ancient craftsmen still create items of rare elegance in metal and wood. There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings. Don't miss the Peradeniya Gardens begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King, with its amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Kandy is an exciting place for shopping with souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased. |
Nuwara Eliya
| Population: 203,000 | District: Nuwera Eliya | Typical Weather: Cool | Dist. from Colombo: 180 km |
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Set in the heart of the tea-country, this beautiful town is where the
British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to
Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church and the famous golf course and
beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated at 1890 metres above sea
level, the air here is cool and fresh - a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of
Colombo. Close to Nuwara Eliya are Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest and most isolated
plateau. Nature lovers will revel in this wide, patna grass covered plain, the haunt of
many wild yet harmless animals and the home of many species of birds. Bridle paths will take you to the precipice known as World's End - a sheer drop of 1050 metres. Acres and acres of tea with its lush green foliage extend miles across the hills and no visit to the hill country is complete without a visit to a tea estate and the chance to purchase some of the world's finest flavoured tea - our major export crop. |
Ratnapura
| Population: 109,000 | District: Ratnapura | Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny | Dist. from Colombo: 101 km |
| Sri Lanka's `City of Gems' and the centre of its gemming industry. The gems found include sapphire, ruby, cat's eye, alexandrite, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet and zircon. Visits to gem mines may be arranged through travel agents. Gem collections can be seen at the National Museum, Ratnapura and a number of private museums, rubber and tea estates and scenic landscape are found in plenty. |
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