Bandarawela is the second largest town in Badulla District. Due to its higher altitude, compared to surrounding locations, Bandarawela has milder weather conditions throughout the year making it a popular destination with tourists. During colonial times, the picturesque town of Bandarawela was once hailed as possessing one of the healthiest climates in the world. This town is considered to have the most favorable climate on the island. Geographically the Bandarawela area is located at a high altitude and surrounded by a large number of mountains in Uva and the Central Province. Bandarawela is within an hour’s reach of surrounding towns and cities by both road and rail. The town is influenced by its colonial history and rests among dense, lush forestation occupying a niche among visitors as a base for eco-tourism.
There are a number of waterfalls in and around Bandarawela that are great for a refreshingly cool dip. The Rawana Ella Waterfall, Dunhinda Waterfall, and the Diyaluma Waterfall are a few such located in Ella. The crisp mountain water thrillingly flows from elevated heights, some over 560 feet; and is a popular attraction for those staying in Hotels in Ella and Bandarawela Holiday Resorts. 28 km away lays Lipton’s Seat, a favourite lookout point of Sir Thomas Lipton, the great tea pioneer, who from that position surveyed the surrounding lands when planning for his initial tea plantation. Other nearby excursions includes the Demodara Railway Loop, Horton Plains, the Dowa Rock Temple is one of the well-known heritage sites in this region.The ancient Dhowa Rock Temple was founded by King Walagamba in the first century B.C.E. (1 B.C.E.) and is located beside Badulla-Bandarawela highway, 6 km from Bandarawela. The temple contains a 39 ft high Buddha image sculpted from rock and paintings depicting Jataka stories belonging to the Kandyan era. Other historic areas of interest include the Roman Catholic St. Anthony’s Church and a local Methodist church, Adisham Monastery, the Bogoda Wooden Bridge and Temple, and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Locals depend primarily upon agriculture to make a living. Most people are directly involved in vegetable cultivation and some are working as laborers in tea estates. There are a large number of tea plantations managed by both private and government run businesses that produce good quality tea for the world market. It’s a good transport hub if you’re heading east or further into the Hill Country. Views of Bandarawela can be seen from Porawagala. Poonagala, Ampittiakanda and Leangawela are three tea estates in the area