- Beijing, Sri Lanka
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Haputale is a one of the unique places in Sri Lanka. You will be standing on a Mountain top being able to see Landscapes of North, South West and East. The South geo plane run towards distance sea and north runs to far Mountains of Nuwaraeliya and Ella. The eastern plane is one tea plantation that disappears into far sky and green valley of Buduruwagala Paddy fields and forest. The Climate is cool in this Tea City. The train trip to or from Haputale is one of best experiences you will make in Sri Lanka.
Walking or by rickshaw, as usual in Sri Lanka. One can also take the train to visit smaller places around Haputale (the also tiny places Ella, Bandarawella or Badulla, for example). It''s also quite common to take the train to one of the neighboring villages and simply walk back that same way on the rail tracks. It''s totally normal in Sri Lanka to walk on rail tracks. Trains are slow and using their horn more than permanently. Those rail track walks offer one of the best views Sri Lanka has to offer.
A lot of tea estates surround the tiny city. Just wandering around in the plantations and watching the tea workers collecting the leaves.
Dambatenne Tea Factory: Well known tea manufacturers (eg Lipton Tea) cultivate their plantations around Haputale. "Dambatenne" is one of the tea processing centers (located 9 km from the city). Sir Thomas J. Lipton was living on this estate and the factory still maintains most of the machinery already in use one century ago. The possibility to visit and watch those traditional production techniques as well as try different kinds of tea makes this quite a popular tourist attraction. (fee 250 Rps.)
Lipton''s Seat: Famous Viewpoint 1970m above sea level. Incredible views, on good conditions (it may be cloudy already from 10 am on, so go early!) you can see the sea. Located about 18 km from Haputale (7km from Tea Factory), you can reach it either by tuktuk (800 Rps. return including waiting time at Lipton''s seat and Tea factory if needed) or take the local bus to the tea factory and walk the rest. There are also more comfortabel and more expensive taxi buses to hire.The fee RS 50/- per soul and vehicle Rs 100/- Drink a tea at the top. It''s only 30 rupees including some cookies! (Apr 2013)
Adisham Monastery: This large granite country house, surrounded by gradens and orchards, was constructed by the British Planter Sir Thomas Lister Valliers in 1931.
