Swarnagiri Maha Viharaya / Single Tree Temple — Attraction in Central Province

Swarnagiri Maha Viharaya, also known as the Single Tree Hill Temple, is a serene Buddhist sanctuary perched on Single Tree Hill Road just 4.3 km from Nuwara Eliya town.

Overlooking the misty hill country and Gregory’s Lake, the temple offers breathtaking panoramic vistas—ideal for meditation, quiet reflection, and photography. The temple features a traditional stupa (dagoba), an image house, and a sacred single ancient Bo tree, which gives the temple both its name and its spiritual charm . Its architecture blends classic Buddhist design with modern elements, and the surroundings—lush gardens and hill-country air—enhance its peaceful atmosphere .

Visitors rate it highly—around 4.7/5—with TripAdvisor and Google reviewers praising its tranquil, uncrowded setting: “quiet and peaceful”, “perfect place to sit and reflect”.Many note well‑maintained roads and suggest walking the final stretch to fully enjoy the natural beauty.

A visit to Swarnagiri Maha Viharaya is not just a spiritual stop but a scenic escape. Whether at sunrise or sunset, the panoramic views make this temple a memorable highlight in Nuwara Eliya’s...

Sadly enough my boyfriend and I had a bad experience here. We bought a plate full of flowers to bring to the temple, but unfortunately we couldn't find the entrance. We saw a monk in the garden talking with a friend behind a gate so we friendly said hello and asked for the entrance. They started giggling and ignored us. We said hello a couple of more times and tried to get their attention and said we were just looking for the entrance, but they rudely kept ignoring us and giggling together (felt like they were making fun of us). We were so struck that we left the place. Very not...

A beautiful Buddhist temple on top of the hill. The one tree hill and it’s trails offer breathtaking views of the city of Newara Eliya. It’s off the beaten track but an absolutely must see. One cannot leave the city without visiting the site on the hill. It offers great views of the hills surrounding the valley as well. Unfortunately, people are insensitive enough to leave trash on the mountain trails. We came across this lovely Belgian girl, Veronique who was picking up trash and cleaning the trails on her own. Sadly it took a European lady to teach us to respect and...