Ella

Ella is an iconic travel destination in Sri Lanka, surrounded by breathtaking mountain ranges. It's a great place to explore the natural beauty of the hill country, and it also has a rich history. There are so many exciting adventures and outdoor activities you can enjoy in Ella.

Places to visit in Ella

📍Here, I have listed some places you must visit while traveling to Ella, which are conveniently located around Ella. You can read about these places by clicking on the places on the list.

Nine-arch Bridge Little Adam's peak Ravana Falls

Scenic Train Ride to Ella

It is a breathtaking and scenic train ride from Colombo Fort to Ella, famous all around the world for its beauty. The train passes through flat landscapes and paddy fields of the low country, gradually climbing into the misty hills, lush tea estates, beautiful mountain ranges, and massive tunnels of the hill country.

Along the way, you’ll experience a wide variety of climate zones, from the low-country wet zone to the hill-country wet and dry zones. The scenic landscapes between Ambewela and Ohiya, at an altitude of over 1,700 meters (about 5,500 feet), are truly marvelous. You’ll pass through numerous tunnels and see many waterfalls cascading near the railway line. The temperature is pleasantly cool, making the journey even more enjoyable.

There are several train options available. One of the most popular is the Ella Odyssey, which stops at iconic tourist attractions, allowing passengers to take photos and enjoy the views. You can also travel on regular trains with the choice of 1st Class A/C, 2nd Class, or 3rd Class compartments.

If you’re visiting Sri Lanka, you should experience this unforgettable train ride at least once. The journey takes about 10 to 11 hours. but every moment is worth it.

You can book train seats and chek the availability from the official site of Sri Lankan railway department. The link is below

https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/

History

It has a rich history woven around King Ravana’s era. In Ella, legend says that Ravana hid Princess Sita in the network of caves behind Ravana Ella Falls (also called Ravana Cave) while he ruled Lanka. Archaeological excavations of the cave at Ella have revealed traces of human habitation dating back some 25,000 years, giving the site genuine ancient roots, though the association with Ravana and Sita remains part of epic legend.

What are the Accommodation Options and Tourist Facilities in Ella?

In Ella, you can easily find accommodation options ranging from local homestays to high-end hotels. The town also has supermarkets, restaurants, and pharmacies to meet travelers’ needs. The nearest major city is Badulla, which offers all essential facilities, including a Teaching hospital.

Travel tips

• Book accommodations well in advance during peak season.
• It’s better to drink bottled water to avoid any risk of waterborne illness or food poisoning.
• When eating at restaurants, make sure to look at reviews. You can find good, well maintained restaurants in the city. And also, you can find clean and safe small places managed by rural villagers. But be careful to avoid poorly managed street stalls like in bus stops and pavements of the town.
• The best time to visit Ella is from December to April during the dry season, when the weather is clear and perfect for hiking and sightseeing. You can also visit between June and August, when the climate is cool and misty, offering breathtaking views of the lush green hills.

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Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a Legendary city of Sri Lankan history. Currently, it is the main city in the Northern Central province of Sri Lanka. So it is a place to feel the Sri Lankan rich history, essence of Buddhism, and also you can get an unforgettable experience with the Sri Lankan countryside's natural beauty.

Places to visit in Anuradhapura

📍Here, I have listed some places you must visit while traveling to Anuradhapura, which are conveniently located near the city. You can read about these places by clicking on the places on the list.

Ruwanwelisaya Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi(Sacred Bo tree) Thuparamaya Abhayagiriya Samadhi Buddha Statue Isurumuniya Mihinthale

Natural Beauty of Anuradhapura

You can experience a rich natural beauty while travelling to Anuradhapura. The scenic view of the temples, Ruwanwelisaya and Abhayagiriya, from the lake bank of Tissa Wewa is truly admirable. The endless paddy fields stretching into the distance add extra pleasure to your eyes. There is another special thing about Anuradhapura, many of its main roads are lined with huge trees on both sides creating a cool, shady, calm, and peaceful atmosphere as you travel. You'll find this not only in Anuradhapura but also throughout much of Sri Lanka's countryside. It's common to see monkeys moving playfully through the landscapes around the city. And if you prefer to experience wildlife, the Wilpattu National Park is located very close to Anuradhapura.

History

According to ancient chronicles, this is the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century BC to the 11th century AD. The city was established by King Pandukabhaya. And it was home to great leaders of Sri Lanka like King Devanampiya Tissa, King Dutugamunu, etc. And many important events related to Buddhism in Sri Lanka took place during the Anuradhapura era.

1. Introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahant Mahinda Thero, the son of Emperor Asoka of India.

2. Receiving the sacred Boo tree (Jaya Sri Maha Bhodi).

And also, this city had very good technology for that time. The irrigation system, which was made by interconnecting the huge tanks, amazes engineers even today. Not only that, in that period, Sri Lankans had to face many foreign invasions. There are many legends about how the Sri Lankans triumphed over them in the Anuradhapura era. However in the 11th century, with the movement of Trade activities from Mannar Harbor to Trincomalee Harbor, the kingdom was moved to Polonnaruwa.

What are the Accommodation Options and Tourist Facilities in Anuradhapura?

We can get a wide range of accommodation options in Anuradhapura, from comfortable budget guesthouses and homestays to star hotels with all the facilities. You can easily find a place that matches your needs. Many hotels are located close to the sacred city area, giving quick access to major attractions like Ruwanwelisaya and Jaya Sri Maha Bhodi. Most of these places provide essential facilities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and restaurants which serve local cuisines and western cuisines. Also, you can find banks, supermarkets, and pharmacies in the city. And also, there is the Teaching Hospital of Anuradhapura in case of need.

How to Get There

It is about a 4 to 4 and a half hour drive to Anuradhapura from Colombo. There are 2 main ways via Kurunegala and Puttalam. If you go by train, there are some intercity and express trains which offer 1st class A/C,2nd class, and 3rd class seats. There are also luxury bus services from Colombo. Normal local bus services are available too. But it is a little bit tiring because they usually stop everywhere, and they don't have air conditioning. So I recommend that if you are using a bus, take an A/C bus.

You can book train seats and chek the availability from the official site of Sri Lankan railway department. The link is below

https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/

Travel Tips

• Book accommodations well in advance during peak season.
• You have to drink bottled water beacuse the water in Anuradhapura area has a little bit salty taste.
• You should be careful from monkeys. They can snatch things right out of your hand and run off.You can see them usually around the tourist pots.
• When eating at restaurants, make sure to look at reviews. You can find good, well maintained restaurants in the city. And also, you can find clean and safe small places managed by rural villagers. But be careful to avoid poorly managed street stalls like in bus stops and pavements of the city.
• The best time to visit Anuradhapura is from April to September during its dry summer season. In this season, you can visit without the interruption of rain, though you have to prepare for high temperatures around 32-33 degrees Celsius.
• Since Anuradhapura is a sacred city, make sure to wear modest, fully covered clothes that reflect Sri Lankan cultural respect ,light cotton outfits are best for the warm weather.

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