Architectural splendour during The Great War, Nine Arch Bridge , Ella - Sri Lanka

Famous train journey from Kandy to Badulla is knows as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. After visit glorious Sigiriya Rock,My kids wanted to go by train instead of a car because they would love to see beautiful waterfalls, tea estates and many more things through the opened windows. Sri Lanka doesn’t have a shortage of natural beauty.Not the like Sydney trains and Metro trains, In Sri Lanka people can sit on the carriage steps or hang out the door for photographs and for fun.We took our train called "Denuwara Menike"at Peradeniya station at 9.20am. 

After several hours journey,train stopped at Ella station at 3.30pm. We stayed a hotel close to the station and next day a vehicle was hired and went to see the top of our bucket list marvelous masterpiece Nine Arch Bridge.

The Nine Arch bridge is very close to the Ella town. Access to the place is not that much hard,you can do rail walk from Ella town. But with kids it would not be easy. There are many ways getting the bridge. We took about a 15 min hike uphill from the gravel road. Another way is the foot path through the jungle. It also just 15min walk to the bridge.

We walked along the railway track and visited the Nine Arch Bridge. Brilliant view especially with the train track. As the name says,its built using massive 9 arches and spans across an area of over 90 meters having an elevation of 25 meters.

Demodara Railway Station

The glorious Nine Arch Bridge between Ella and Demodara station is one of the Sri Lankan engineering marvels of the early 20th century. This bridge is almost 100 years old, has been built with blocks of stone sand and cement without a single piece of steel or concrete. It is located 3100 feet above the sea level, this 99.6ft high bridge is called "Bridge in the Sky" as well.

Beauty of the Bridge. 

 

Breathless! The gorgeous views in the Hill country are amazing! You can take hundreds of pictures from different angels ,there is a tea plantation as well. This bridge is a masterpiece of the Victorian era. I was wonder how they built that.This is one of Ella's most visited attractions.

It is a very picturesque spot provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. This is a very good place for the people who love adventure and photography. The structure is amazing and it is worth spending time walking around.

We were not lucky enough to see a train cross the bridge but we did enjoy the walk across. Village man said just went the train before we reach there.

The Nine Arch Bridge is definitely one of the most iconic places from Sri Lanka and busiest place. But even so,you shouldn't miss it.

Definitely, you will get wondering perspective of how tall and extremely beautiful the Nine Arch Bridge actually is when you are standing under the nine arches.

Story of The Nine Arch Bridge.

There is a popular story to say. Local Sri Lankan (Ceylonese) Builder P.K. Appuhami was credited to be the main architecture of the bridge supported by British Engineers. He was born in 1870 and born and bread in Kappatipola area in Welimada. Appuhami was a traditional drummer and devil dancer (a ritual dancer).

One day, while returning home in devil dance costume, he happened to see a British officer and that officer was extremely frightened by the devilish apparition.

Sri Lankan Devil Dancers

Appuhami had introduced himself and the strange foreigner realized it was a man who wearing a costume.But later a relationship was built up between them and Appuhami agreed to help the construction of the railway by supplying labors to the Officer from local villages.

When the construction commenced on the bridge,The World War (I) began between the Europe empires and the steel assigned for this site was reallocated to Britain's War related projects at the battlefront. As a result,the work came to a standstill, leading the locals to build the bridge with stones, bricks and cement ,but without steel.

They realized that they were unable to joint a large gap between two hills without steel. It was not possible to create firm anchoring, due to the marshy ground. Securely anchoring the columns of a bridge to the ground was issue.After many failures, Appuhami requested to take over the bridge project. After rejecting the first time, they finally agreed to hand over this massive task to Appuhami.

He has started work around 1913 and got his men to topple large rocks to this gap until they filled up the bottom and then he has built the brick columns on this rock bed. He completed the work within an year and the cost of construction was lower than estimated. The British officials were so shocked that the local heroes had finished such a huge project so easily But Britishers refused to believe its structural integrity of the bridge.

At this point Appuhami sworn the strength of the structure and he assured that he will lie down under the bridge on the first train voyage across this and he was said to kept to the promise when the railway line was first commissioned. This huge nine arches and solid construction, is one of the proofs of Sri Lankans skills and technology.

The bridge is located right in the centre of the jungle and beautiful tea plantations.The locals sell king coconut and tea. There is a little cafe near the bridge as well. You can enjoy delicious Ceylon tea and corn on the cob while waiting for the train. My kids wanted to taste king coconut and they shared it with me and my hubby, it was so refreshing.

We had such a lovely time at the bridge.The Nine Arch Bridge is one of the must watch places if you in Ella. I enjoyed every minute of the walk along the rail track and through the tunnel. Another special thing is no entrance fee to this place and you can spend time there as much as you want.

I had always wanted to visit the Nine Arch Bridge but never had the opportunity but in December 2019 my family with my parents went to Ella and Badulla to visit hill country beauty. Though I have been waiting to see this for a long time and did not disappoint. The Ella Nine Arch Bridge became more popular and very famous for its similarity with the bridge towards Hogwarts in Harry Potter movies. Well worth a visit to appreciate this amazing bridge and the architectural wonder.

Demodara train loop

Train comes to the station after the loop

When you walk towards Demodara Station from Ella there is a nice train loop back under the station. If you want to see the loop nicely, you have to be there when the train is coming. Demodara Loop is a spiral railway loop that has been called “Civil Engineering Wonders" of Sri Lanka Railways. Here you can see the train passing from one side, making a loop around the mountain and then reappearing from the other side.

 

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Before you go

• The best time to be there is when the train is passing. So check the train schedule before you go.There is a trains schedule on the trees around to help you make unforgettable pictures with a train on the bridge.

• Take water if it’s a warm day and wear shoes appropriate for uneven, muddy,steep terrain.

• If you do train traveling with kids, don’t let them change between carriages as they can easily topple.

• Don't forget a good camera!!!

• When you have a chance go there early so you can enjoy it for yourself without crowd.

• Walking on the railway tracks is fine but please be careful.

Perfect Day Tour in Sydney Three Sisters & Scenic World Blue Mountains

When we have a free day, kids love to go to Blue Mountains all the time. I believe that we are so lucky to live in Sydney. Driving from Sydney to Blue Mountains a place so beautiful to look around and we all enjoy that every time though visit Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves many times.  We drove up from Sydney for the day with my lovely family.The most popular way to get up the mountains is to drive.It takes about 90 minutes from Sydney to get to the main tourist destination of Katoomba.

If you use public transport,getting to the Blue Mountains is easy enough, a relaxing train trip from Sydney takes about an hour from Sydney Central Station.

Three Sisters

Blue Mountains has one of the most breathtaking picturesque scenes you’ll ever see around Sydney.You can't go to Katoomba without going to the 3 sisters.The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains'  most spectacular landmark. This unusual unique rock formation attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year and this is a must see when in Blue Mountains.The Sisters were formed by land erosion. The erosion occurs because of a combination of soft sandstone and weather patterns.

Tale of  Three Sisters 

Three Sisters, aboriginal place, is a 3-peak mountain having relevance to legendary story.Historically, the Three Sisters are believed to have been named after three sisters who lived in the region.

According to an old aboriginal legend, there used to be three beautiful sisters who lived in the Jamison valley.They were madly in love  with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witch-doctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm.Unfortunately, the witch doctor was killed before he could reverse the spell, leaving the three sisters forever encased in stone. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come.Standing mournfully high above the Jamison Valley, never to be human again. The names of the sisters are Meehni (922 m), Wimlah (918 m), and Gunnedoo (906 m).

Echo Point

Echo point is one of the best spots to see the three sisters, showcasing the fantastic wildlife that surrounds it.If you are physically able to, take the walk down to the 3 sisters although the steps are steep but worth it.It was fun walking down millions of stairs to the honeymoon bridge which you can see from Echo Point Lookout and connects the first of the 3 sisters to the path.Visit here at sunset or sunrise for a truly unforgettable journey, as the rocks light up in an array of colors due to the orange and reddish glow of the sun. We went to watch the sunset and the 3 Sisters was gorgeous with the sunlight on the rocks.Not much words to describe that amazing natural structure and its' breathtaking beauty.

Scenic World 

If you're visiting the Blue Mountains, make sure you visit Scenic World in Katoomba. It is near the three sisters. Scenic World offers four attractions, the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Sky way, the Scenic Cable way and Scenic Walkway a 2.4 km elevated boardwalk through ancient rain forest.We purchased scenic passes that allows travel unlimited on all the rides.

The Scenic Railway

World Steepest Railway

Scenic World was originally home to a coal mine that dated back to 1878.The Scenic Railway was built to haul coal 310m up from a mine in the Jamison Valley and it  inclines at a breath-taking 52-degree angle, which makes it the world’s steepest passenger railway.The scenic railway is so steep, but really fun.

Established in 1945, Scenic World began with Harry Hammon’s entrepreneurial vision to transform a former coal mine into an iconic tourist attraction. With the closure of Katoomba Colliery in 1945, Harry recognized an opportunity to innovate, converting old coal skips and existing rail track into a passenger train, creating what is still today the world’s steepest passenger train.  

 

The Scenic Sky Way

 

The Sky way offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the Blue Mountains and it is the only horizontal-passenger-carrying cable car in Australia.It offers 360 degree views of the surrounding scenery, including snapshots of the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley, and Katoomba Falls.It crosses the Jamison Valley at a height of 270 metres.  

 

The Cable Way

The Scenic Cableway boasts exceptional panoramic views of the Blue Mountains.The fully-enclosed cabins of the Cableway mean you can safely look down on the Three Sisters,Orphan Rock,Mount Solitary and Katoomba Falls from way above.The Scenic Cableway is being the largest and steepest aerial cable car in Australia.

 

 

The Scenic Walkway

The Scenic Walkway is an elevated boardwalk that includes a 300 metre easy walking link between the base of the Scenic Railway and Scenic Cable way. Brilliant in sunshine and even better in the rain, this elevated boardwalk immerses visitors in Jurassic rain forest on the Jamison Valley floor with minimal impact on the environment. As you pass ancient trees and colorful local flora, you’ll also get to learn about the history of the region, including its' past as a mining area. Listen out for some of the native birds singing too. During the walk, you’ll come across a replica miners hut, see the miner’s entrance and marvel at a bronze sculpture of a miner with his horse.

You can then walk around on a boardwalk at the bottom of the rain forest, and come back up on a very large cable car.The forest bush walk is excellent , one of the best I have done.

We had a lovely day doing all three rides and doing nearly the full walk in the rain forest, so beautiful and peaceful.The walk along the wooden boardwalk through the rain-forest was really amazing, and we all loved the ride up and down, then across the valley.

Great place to visit when in Sydney and in the surrounding area. Not only is the view out of this world, you have access by stairs to get to the bottom of the first of the three sisters.Some of the region’s sandstone peaks have an altitude of more than 900m high above sea level.The three sisters and the valley are super.The scenery is so majestic.The Blue Mountains is a magical place any time of the year.If you have time, don't forget to visit Jenolan Caves as well.The Jenolan Caves are a highlight of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

World Heritage Site

The Greater Blue Mountains was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000 and was one of 15 World Heritage places included in the National Heritage List on 21 May 2007. 

It is an area of diverse landscapes filled with plants, wildlife, caves and rock formations in NSW national parks. It's full of cultural significance, with six Aboriginal groups having connection to the Country of the Area, as it's tied with Dreaming and rock art.

Tips before Plan

• Be sure to wear comfy hiking shoes.It has many rough walking tracks.

• It is highly recommended that you check the weather forecast before going, in winter it can be anywhere from 0 to 8 degrees Celsius.If the weather is clear and sunny you can see for many kilometers across the valleys and cliffs.
  

• Scenic World gets very crowded after the train from Sydney and tourist buses arrive. In my opinion, if you can stay in town the night before and visit this attraction in the morning, you will probably find it much more enjoyable.

• Don't miss to go Jenolan Caves in Blue Mountain World Heritage area.Just 75km from the Three Sisters.It takes 1hr 15 min only. Jenolan Caves will not disappoint.