What Is the Most Attractive Train Journey in Sri Lanka

The charming island nation of Sri Lanka offers many captivating experiences for travellers, and your visit to this country wouldn’t be complete without undertaking a local train trip, which may be regarded as an iconic local experience. In this regard, probably the most alluring train trip is likely to be the long journey from the primary city of Colombo to the town of Badulla. Some of the noteworthy aspects of this rail adventure are described below. 

An entrancing journey 

The train ride from Colombo to Badulla may be regarded as one of the world’s most picturesque and eye-catching rail journeys, taking passengers through an entrancing selection of beautiful and memorable sights. You will encounter rocky cliffs, vast gorges, lakes, tea-covered slopes, gushing falls, rivers and more as you travel from the western coast of Sri Lanka to its mountainous hill country. On the way, you would pass through no less than 46 tunnels as well as extents of lush vegetation. On a clear day, you may see gleaming sun-kissed hills stretching to the coastline in the course of the ride. Although this journey takes 10 hours, the visual wonders to be experienced have made it a not-to-be-missed experience for travellers heading to the island. 

The history of the railway 

The railway used in this journey dates back to colonial times when Britain controlled what was then known as Ceylon, the former name for Sri Lanka. During the 19th century, Ceylon happened to be a leading exporter of coffee, and the British planters needed a railway to transport the coffee crop from the mountains down to Colombo, located on the coast. Accordingly, in 1867, these colonialists completed the construction of a railway extending from Kandy to Colombo. Over time, the British expanded the newly constructed railway to the town of Badulla; this stretch of rail was constructed through terrain that included densely forested mountains and rocky ridges, with viaducts, bridges, embankments and tunnels being added to accommodate the various turns and twists. 

Sights on the way 

One of the main places that this journey will take you to is the hill capital, Kandy; hotels can be easily found here including the likes of Cinnamon Citadel Kandy which makes an ideal base for those looking to spend more time in the city visiting key attractions like the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. If you have already been to this destination, you can continue on your railway escapades or explore it further on your way back.

After departing Kandy, the train will take you through lush valleys as you continue through the hill country of Sri Lanka. You would also notice sights like Hindu shrines secluded in tea gardens, thick mist-shrouded forests and the settlements housing the tea estate workers. A noteworthy feature of the ride is the Poolbank Tunnel, a half-kilometre-long construction that would be the longest tunnel you will encounter on the way. You may also notice the surging waters of the stunning St. Clair’s Falls which will be an entrancing sight for the nature lover. Eventually, you would leave the chilly central hills making your way past some picturesque dairy farms. 

Nearing the end 

A well-known feature that you will encounter as you near the end is the renowned Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. You will see that this viaduct features nine arches towers above the surrounding jungle, offering a truly iconic sight. Many tourists take the opportunity to snap photographs of this jaw-dropping structure. The designer of this amazing bridge was Harold Marwood, a British engineer, but the story goes that local know-how was also instrumental in its creation. As steel happened to be scarce during the period of World War One, it was the local artisans who possessed the ingenuity to construct this bridge using just stone, bricks and cement. Similarly, as the nearby incline was too steep for the available locomotive engines, local engineers came up with the idea of constructing the spiralling track to be seen on the railway. Soon you will reach Hali Ela, a charming town before finally arriving in Badulla on what is one of the most magical train rides in the world.