Visit Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

On the southern edge of the hill country, Bandarawela has been popular with Sri Lankans and foreign visitors alike for many years and is one of the oldest tea planters' resting places in the country.

The surrounding area offers some fantastic period accommodation while the beautiful scenery and usually idyllic climate provides a refreshing change from the heat of the low country and the cool environs of Nuwara Eliya.

Bandarawela is a great base for exploring the hill country's scenic and less visited attractions.

Ella and Dowa Temple

The drive to Ella is a short and picturesque one, passing the small atmospheric Dowa Temple which boasts a four metre high Buddha carved into the rock face. It is a very peaceful spot and usually only frequented by locals and monks rather than travellers.