Bandarawela is a big town situated in Badulla District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka, 28km away from Badulla town. Due to its higher altitude, Bandarawela has a mild weather condition throughout the year, making it popular among locals for family vacations. Bandarawela is 200km from Colombo and about 150km from Kandy — both capital cities in Sri Lanka's history — with both road and railway transportation facilities available to reach the area within a few hours. Bandarawela town, tinted with a colonial past and resting among lush forestation, has found its niche among visitors as a base for eco-tourism. The history of the Bandarawela area traces back to the time of the great Sinhalese King Valagamba, who fell back and regrouped in the Dhowa region to fight against Chola (Indian) invaders. During the British colonial era, the town saw rapid development of infrastructure and human resources due to tea plantations and the migration of British and local people to the area — buildings such as the Bandarawela Hotel, the Cargill's building and the Tennis Club remain from this period. During World War II, many families moved to Bandarawela as leading schools in Colombo, such as Royal College, St Thomas' College and Visakha Vidyalaya, completely shifted here due to the fear caused by Japanese bombs, causing an overall improvement in local education.
Discover the historic landmarks, cultural attractions and hidden gems that make Bandarawela special.
Adisham Bungalow is a historic house located near Haputale town, 16km away from Bandarawela. With the Adisham Monastery of Saint Benedict and a museum-like structure, this house makes for an interesting place to visit. It is spread over 10 acres and dates back to 1931. All of the house furniture is preserved in such a way that you'll get a genuine glimpse of the past lifestyle here — though it takes half an hour to reach Adisham Hall from Bandarawela, it's well worth a visit.
Porawagala is a lovely scenic area located hardly 3km away from Bandarawela town. One of the most significant tourist attractions in the area, it will take you away from all the hustle and bustle of city life and place you in the heart of nature. It combines grasslands, woodlands, waterfalls and mountains, making it a paradise for nature lovers, and is also a great point for catching a sunrise or sunset.
With panoramic views of magnificent mountains and majestic valleys, Pilkington Point is the perfect place to see nature at its best. Located at a prime spot on a mountain, it offers lovely vistas that are a treat to the eyes. If visited during monsoon, you'll see clouds drifting over the mountains, making for a spectacular sight. Being located at height, the wind is quite strong here and there's a chill in the air — visit during rainy season to see nature at its finest.
Church of the Ascension is a place of worship that holds both religious and historical importance. Built in 1908, this stone building has offered a peaceful platform for more than a hundred years. The structure we see today was extended a couple of times and the tower was added later, but it has still maintained its old charm — services in English are also conducted here.
Located a little away from the city of Bandarawela, Ellatota Ella Waterfall is an attraction not known to many. The best time to visit is during the monsoon, as the water usually dries up during summer. As it isn't fully developed as a tourist attraction, you may not find any facilities around, but it's a nice place to stop by if you're in the area — the scenery and peacefulness are an added bonus.
Dhowa Rock Temple is a fascinating place of worship with a history of more than 2,000 years. This is a protected heritage site in Sri Lanka, known for having a huge unfinished Buddha image, its face carved into a 12ft rock. The inside of the temple is adorned with different paintings depicting ancient and mythological stories — though small, it is a must-visit temple when in Bandarawela.
The Japan – Sri Lanka Peace Pagoda is one of the most important landmarks in Bandarawela, one of the four stupas in Sri Lanka representing peace and harmony. This Buddhist temple welcomes locals and tourists alike, located along Pallewela Road, hardly 8km from the centre of Bandarawela. If you're looking for a peaceful site to spend some quality time, this is the place to be — you'll also get to meet monks around here.
