GUIDE TO THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA [SRI LANKA]
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA, SRI LANKA
The Nine Arch Bridge is located in Ella, a gorgeous region of Sri Lanka! Ella is one of our favorite places to visit in Sri Lanka for its natural beauty and cooler climate.
In a Nutshell
– This iconic bridge built on nine massive arches is intended for the train’s circulation.
– It was built in 1921, during the British colonial period.
– The Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most iconic places in Sri Lanka
– It’s absolutely free to visit the Nine Arch Bridge
– The best time to visit is when a train passes by to take stunning photos!
Check out this video for a glimpse of the Nine Arch Bridge all about:
HOW TO GET TO THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA?
FROM ELLA
The easiest way to get to the Nine Arch Bridge is to go on foot from Ella. It takes a little less than 1 hour to get there. The trail is well indicated.
From Ella, you can also go on a Tuk-Tuk if you want to save time. You can easily book and customize a Tuk-Tuk tour here during a trip to Ella.
COMBINE THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE WITH LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK
Most people combine a hike to Little Adam’s Peak with a visit to the Nine Arch Bridge. Indeed from the Little Adam’s Peak trail on your way down, you can choose to head back directly to Ella or go to the Nine Arch Bridge.
READ: FULL GUIDE FOR HIKING LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE?
When planning our trip to Sri Lanka we could see so many photos of the Nine Arch Bridge. So finally, it was our turn to see it. We were super excited!
And the WOW FACTOR was definitely there when we reached the bridge. It is such an architectural marvel. Of course, don’t expect to be the only one there as it is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka.
The Best Viewpoints:
There are many great viewpoints to take photos of the bridge. The most famous one, but also the riskier one as it is very steep to get there is located in front of a small juice hut here. From there head down to the tea plantation to get one of the most Instagrammable shots in the area!
When you cross the bridge to the other side, the view is also stunning, perfect to take a few more photos.
The Nine Arch Bridge is one of the best things to see in Ella, and one of the most photographed places in Sri Lanka.
Of course, the best shot at Nine Arch Bridge is when a train is passing.
WHEN DOES THE TRAIN CROSS THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE?
There are different times to see the train crossing the bridge, which is the best time to take photos.
Now although there are some scheduled trains, they are quite often delayed, sometimes by 1 hour. So you will need a bit of luck to see one crossing, or you will need to be patient!
The official schedule is around 9:30am, 11:30am, 3:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm. We were there around noon, and we were in luck, as the 11:30 train was late and passed by a few minutes after we arrived at the bridge! Yay!
WHO BUILT THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE?
In addition to being a beautiful bridge, its structure also has an interesting history. It was built with the involvement of British colonial forces at the beginning of the 20th century.
But before construction began, World War I started and all the steel that was planned for the construction of the bridge was ultimately used for the war.
However, Sri Lankans decided to continue the construction after a short interruption but without steel… They used bricks and cement only. The result: an architectural masterpiece!
And don’t worry, the bridge is solid enough, even without steel 😉
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE?
GOOD NEWS, it’s free!!
There is no entrance to visit the bridge.
However, you can opt for a guide that will take care of everything and explain more about the history of the bridge and Ella. This includes pick-up from your hotel by Tuk-Tuk. More details here.
FINAL TIPS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT
- Check the train schedule in advance to ensure you don’t miss the train passing through the bridge.
- Be cautious when walking on the tracks, and never walk on the bridge when a train is approaching.
- The area can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, so plan your visit accordingly.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN ELLA
Some of the best things to see in Ella include:
- Ravana Falls is easily accessible from Ella with a short Tuk-Tuk ride.
- Lipton’s Seat, a superb mountainous area south of Ella entirely covered with tea plantations. No words can describe the beauty of this place.
- World’s End located inside the Horton Plains National Park is another great sight near Ella. This national park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Nil Diya Pokuna caves believed to be part of the legend of King Ravana. 100m below the surface. The highlight of the place is the underground pond containing bright blue-colored water.
READ: 20 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN ELLA
IN CONCLUSION – IS THE NINE-ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA, WORTH A VISIT
The Nine-Arch Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka, is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling in the region. It combines natural beauty, historical significance, and a glimpse into the country’s colonial past. Enjoy the breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings while you’re there.
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