Introducing The Hill Country
The Hill Country lives in a cool, perpetual spring, away from the often enervating heat and heavy air of the coastal regions or the hot dry air of the central and northern plains. Everything here is green and lush, and much of the region is carpeted with the glowing green of the tea plantations, with montane forest hugging the higher slopes.
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Although Sinhalese culture was born in the north of Sri Lanka, following the decline of the Polonnaruwa dynasties in the early 13th century, power shifted southwest to Kotte (near Colombo) and to the Hill Country. The kingdom of Kandy resisted European takeover for more than 300 years after the coastal regions first succumbed to the Portuguese in the 17th century, and the city of Kandy remains the Sinhalese cultural and spiritual centre.
Since the 19th century the region has become home to a large number of Tamils, brought from India by the British to labour on the tea estates. The Tamil culture in the Hill Country is very different from that found in northern Sri Lanka; the Hinduism practiced here is not as strict and there is much less support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The Hill Country is a relaxed area where it’s very easy to find the days just drifting by. Higher up into the hills are many towns that are worth a visit, and an abundance of walks and climbs, refreshing waterfalls and historic sites.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: 2 days in Sri Lanka
by np2011 03 April 2011
Most drivers are not prepared to travel long distances at night due to the state of the roads (but you might find someone prepared to…
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RE: The Hill Country: Sri Lanka...train travel
by beyondthejourneys 30 March 2011
The best sites are Nanupya,Haputhale,Ealla & Demodara. You can get all the information with Sri Lanka Railway Department http://www.railw…
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Re: The Hill Country: Sri Lanka...train travel
by nomad4u 29 March 2011
There is/was? a tourist ticket office at the station in Colombo,and very helpfull. We booked Train,rental car with driver,hotels all there.…
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The Hill Country
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Our Top Picks For The Hill Country
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1 Kandy Esala Perahera
Watching the throbbing throng of elephants, drummers and dancers at the Kandy Esala Perahera
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2 Kandy Lake
Meandering around Kandy Lake in the evening
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3 Adam’s Peak
Slogging up Adam’s Peak to be rewarded by a perfect sunrise
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4 Haputale and Ella
Rattling through the high tea plantations in a Hill Country train; the trip between Haputale and Ella is particularly lovely
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5 Ella
Hiking through the countryside around Ella while enjoying the views to the plains
Our favourite The Hill Country Blogs (beta)
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He Said, She Said
Blog: Ottsworld - 31 May 2011
Since this was the first time I had traveled as a couple, to wrap up my travels to Sri Lanka, I decided to give you a little best/worst article; but not just from my perspective…from me and my travel partner’s perspective. Finally – Russ gets to speak up and be heard! We came up with [...]
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Photo of the Week – Ella Rock Sri Lanka
Blog: Ottsworld - 27 May 2011
Welcome to Hill Country in Sri Lanka. It certainly lives up to it’s name. The hike to Ella Rock is a challenging 3 hour hike known for it’s phenomenal views of the valley below. The small town of Ella is nestled in Hill Country and is the hiking mecca for tourists looking to get some [...]
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Traveling With Trip Advisor
Blog: Ottsworld - 19 May 2011
I walked into the room and there it was staring back at me, frozen in place next to my suitcase. I stopped abruptly, sighed and looked carefully at its shiny black body and spindly legs. The one light bulb in the room seemed to make the big cockroach’s body shimmer even more in ickiness. I [...]
