Porawagala, Ella

This place is a must-visit for the lovers of tea and is amongst the top tourist places in Ella! Sri Lanka is famous the world over for its amazing Ceylon tea. Halpewatte Tea Factory invites tourists to come inside their premise and see how their favourite tea is made- right from plucking the tea leaves, processing till final packaging. This is the largest tea factor in the Uva region. After the tour, you can also have a cup of tea in their tea shop and take teas home. The factory is located at a beautiful vantage point with scenic views of the hills and valleys. Location: Badulla Road, Hela halpem EllaTimings: Every day 8:00 am- 5:00 pm Price: Adults LKR 763, INR 300, Children LKR 381, INR 150

People of all faiths love to visit this magnificent stone church. Built in the 18th- century, this Roman Catholic Church still retains its old world charm. The building has beautiful paintings, murals, and stained glass windows that leave the travellers gaping at their charm. The Church has a huge garden where one can spend peaceful time listening to the hymns. Location: Bandarawela 90100, EllaTimings: 7:00 am- 5:00 pmPrice: There is no entry fee

Sri Lanka is abundant with the legends of Ramayana. So much so that even the natural landscapes have compelling stories associated with them. The Ravana Falls and the nearby caves are said to be some of the places where the demon god Ravana hid. These legends and the striking landscape of this Ella attraction pulls many travellers to them. The waterfall is around 82 ft. in height and is layered in three tiers. The third tier is approachable after a sharp rock climb and rewards with some amazing views of the dense greens and the rocky landscape. Location: A 23, Ravana Wildlife Sanctuary, EllaTimings: March- June, December- FebruaryPrice: There is no entry fee

Rakkhiththa Kanda Aranya Senasanaya is one of the most important archaeological places in Ella. It is a cave temple that looks like the head of a cobra protecting a statue of Buddha. There is a meditation area in this complex where you can spend some quiet and peaceful time alone absorbing in the serenity of the place. You can meet the monks and have a personal discourse on Buddhism freely. This temple is located atop a high ridge giving panoramic views of the surrounding hills and forests. Location: Rakkitha Kanda Road, Badulla Kurugama, Uva Province, EllaTimings: Rakkhiththa Kanda Aranya Senasanaya is approachable at all times every day of the year.Price: There is no entry fee

Porawagala is one of the best vantage viewpoints in the whole of Ella. Situated atop a hill, it gives a bird’s eye view of the luxuriant forests, valleys, the meadow-like pastures, and the city of Ella. Travellers love to come here and spend some quiet hours taking in the views of the waterfalls and the temples. Porawagala is a secluded place, which takes the tourists away from the chaos and noise of the cities. Location: Bandarawela, EllaTimings: Porawagala is approachable the whole day. The best time to visit is at the time of the sun dawn and the sunset. Price: There is no entry fee

The Nine Arches Bridge is one of the most beautiful landmarks of Sri Lanka and amongst the top places to visit in Ella. There is an interesting story behind this bridge. When the British stopped the construction of this bridge mid-way due to lack of steel during World War 1, the locals constructed it using stone and bricks. The bridge has stood strong without a single piece of steel since then. The setting of the bridge is extremely charming and is amongst the most popular tourist places in Ella. It is located inside a dense forest near a quaint little village with tea plantations surrounding it. Watching the old world trains pass through this bridge is a sight most loved by the tourists. Location: Between Ella and Damodara StationTimings: The bridge is approachable all day around. However, early morning sunrise is the best time to visit. Price: There is no entry fee.