Uva Province essentials

Uva Province features a landscape of high-altitude tea plantations, dramatic waterfalls, and significant religious sites. The region is home to the British-engineered Nine Arch Bridge and the Demodera Railway Spiral, a unique loop in the rail line. Natural landmarks include Diyaluma Falls, the country’s second-highest waterfall, and the sheer 880-meter precipice of World’s End. Historically, the province contains the ancient Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, one of Sri Lanka’s holiest Buddhist temples, and the 10th-century Mahayana rock carvings at Buduruwagala.

Uva Province Essentials — Map

Dan arndt / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Nine Arch Bridge

This colonial-era railway bridge, completed in 1921, stands 24 meters high. Constructed entirely from bricks, stone, and cement without the use of steel, it spans a valley between Ella and Demodera stations.

Manon Martin / CC-BY-SA

B

Little Adam's Peak

Standing at 1,141 meters, this mountain offers a panoramic view of the Ella Gap. The trail winds through lush tea plantations and involves a relatively easy ascent compared to the nearby Ella Rock.

C

Diyaluma Falls

At 220 meters, this is the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It features a series of natural infinity pools at the top, accessible via a hike from Upper Diyaluma.

Velayutham Mathivannan / CC-BY-SA

D

Rawana Ella Falls

A 25-meter-high waterfall linked to the Indian epic Ramayana. Legend states King Ravana hid Princess Sita in the caves located behind the cascading waters.

Pasan / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Buduruwagala

Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought.

F

Ella Rock

A prominent cliff offering views of the southern plains. The trek follows the railway tracks before ascending through eucalyptus forests and tea estates to the summit.

G

Dunhinda Falls

This 64-meter waterfall is named for the 'smoking' mist created by its spray. It is fed by the Badulu Oya river and reached via a 1.5-kilometer jungle trail.

Simona Pecková / CC-BY-SA

H

World's End (Plate 1)

A sheer precipice within Horton Plains National Park with a vertical drop of approximately 880 meters. It provides views reaching as far as the Indian Ocean on clear mornings.

I

Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

An ancient Buddhist temple believed to be the site of the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. It is one of the Solosmasthana, the sixteen holiest shrines in the country.

J

Demodera Railway Spiral

A unique piece of 20th-century railway engineering where the track loops around a hill and passes through a tunnel directly beneath the Demodera station.

Олег Тарасенко / CC-BY-SA

K

Bomburu Ella

Bomburu Ella, also known as Perawella Falls, is a waterfall at Uva-Paranagama Divisional Secretariat of Sri Lanka.

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