Gampola
The 14th-century royal capital in the central highlands, crowned by the landmark Ambuluwawa multi-religious tower.
About Gampola
In the 14th century Gampola was Sri Lanka's royal capital, and its brief 'Gampola period' produced two extraordinary temples — Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya — that were the first Buddhist monuments to integrate Hindu deities, shaping the island's cross-cultural art and literature for centuries. Today the bustling highland town is dominated by the striking white spiral of Ambuluwawa Tower, and surrounded by tea plantations, forest trails and hidden waterfalls.
Top experiences
- Ambuluwawa Tower
A multi-religious biodiversity complex with a landmark spiral tower and 360° views.
Gadaladeniya TempleA 14th-century Dravidian-influenced stone temple from the Gampola kingdom.
Lankatilaka ViharaA hilltop 14th-century temple combining Sinhalese, South Indian and Chinese architecture.
Central-highland tea estatesLush working tea estates surrounding Gampola with factory tours and tastings.
Ambuluwawa & tea-estate hikesScenic day hikes through tea country to Ambuluwawa's summit and hidden waterfalls.
Things to do
Scenic hill-country train ride
The famed Kandy–Ella line through tea estates and cloud forest.
Tea factory tour & tasting
Walk a working factory and taste single-estate Ceylon teas.
Nine Arch Bridge & Little Adam's Peak hike
Iconic viaduct plus an easy summit hike near Ella.
Horton Plains & World's End trek
Early-morning cloud-forest trek to a sheer 800 m escarpment.
Attractions nearby
Nine Arch Bridge
Colonial-era railway viaduct arching over jungle in Ella.
Ravana Falls
25 m roadside cascade steeped in Ramayana legend.
Lipton's Seat
The panoramic viewpoint where Sir Thomas Lipton surveyed his estates.
Horton Plains National Park
Cloud-forest plateau, montane grassland and the World's End cliff.
Gampola in pictures
