Although ‘Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex’ refers to an area covering acres and consisting of several establishments, including religious places, for many, ‘Ambuluwawa’ means the famous tower. It goes without saying that the tower is a forever attraction with its unique design and significant architectural features.

View From the Tower

Located 3567 feet above sea level and 55.5 meters high, Ambuluwawa offers a most amazing view. As one goes up the tower, one can get an undisturbed view of lush greenery, including paddy fields and the valleys below. It is said that the view would stretch as far as the coastline on a clear day. If it is the flowering season, the view of May Maara trees (Flamboyant trees) covered with red flowers creates a mesmerizing scenery.

From up, one can also see the upcountry railway. If one is lucky, one may view the moving train, which is quite old-fashioned in contrast to the fast-moving electronic trains seen in developed countries.

Ambuluwawa Tower gives a 360-degree view. The view is undisturbed as no other mountain range obstructs the hill on which Ambuluwawa stands. Nine mountain ranges, including Piduruthalagala, Namunukula, Sri Padha, Batalegala, Hanthana, Knuckles, Samanala mountain, and Saptha Kanya, can be seen from the Ambuluwawa peak.

It is a mandatory checklist item for all visitors of Ambuluwawa to capture pictures from the top of the tower. Be it pictures of oneself or the surroundings seen from the tower top, the captures are sure to be breathtaking and Instagram-worthy, especially if taken in ideal weather conditions. However, one should remember not to get too carried away by the excitement; extreme caution should be exercised at the top of the tower, and care should be taken not to lean on the railing as there is a risk of falling. It should be noted that the tower, although a popular tourist attraction, has not been maintained properly.

Ambuluwawa is located where the Kandy and Kegalle districts are demarcated, and the unique geographical position offers visitors a chance to witness the island’s varying climates. It is amazing to witness the weather changes in different districts from the top of the tower; when there is rain on one side, there will be sunshine on the other side, while the sky will be gloomy or misty on yet another side.

An amazing fact about Ambuluwawa is that one does not have to climb to the top to get a good view. There is no platform on top; it is just the outdoor stairway that spirals up, so if one does not want to climb to the top, one can still get down while having witnessed a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

How To Best Enjoy One’s Visit To The Tower?

It is advisable to avoid taking kids to visit the tower as extreme caution should be exercised when climbing. The railing is not high enough to protect one from falling, and the stairs are narrow and are barely the size of an adult foot. Towards the top, the stairway gets narrower, compelling one to turn sideways as one climbs up. Since there is no space for two people to pass, one should get inside a viewing panel to pave the way for the oncoming climbers. In light of the above, it is always advisable that adults who are fit and have no fear of heights climb the tower.

If one prefers solo traveling or wishes to spend some time on top of the tower, it would be ideal to visit the tower early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and to enjoy clear weather. There would be fewer crowds during the opening hour, and besides getting some undisturbed view of the surroundings, one can witness the heavenly look of nature at dawn.

Architecture Of the Tower

The tower starts with an internal stairway leading up. Halfway through, there is a viewing platform offering a good view and a heads-up for the climbers. At this point, the outer staircase starts, allowing climbers to go up both the internal and external stairways. The internal stairway stops further up, and the external stairway allows one to climb up while feeling the soaring wind. The staircase narrows down as one goes up, so one has to angle sideways and climb up.

Symbolism And Cultural Significance

Ambuluwawa tower has been built to signify and celebrate the farming crowd of the island, in appreciation of the fact that they bring on food to feed the whole nation. The tower is thus known as ‘Govijana Saeya’ (meaning that it belongs to the farming crowd).

The architecture of the structure is also such that it signifies farming: the bottom-most part has been built as a vee bissa (storage for paddy), and the next part as a pumpkin. Various designs have been engraved on the walls alluding to various religious and cultural aspects. The tower, in fact, looks like a Buddhist shrine (Chaithya) with its nearly round base and the spiraling tower-shaped top part, manifesting the significance given to religion in Sri Lanka.

Options For Those Who Do Not Want To Climb Up The Tower 

If one cannot climb the Ambuluwawa tower for some reason, there is also a small tower adjacent to the main tower. It is much shorter but offers a great view of the surroundings and also of Ambuluwawa main tower. Since many visitors are not keen on climbing the small tower, there is much less hassle, and there is no need to wait for others to come down for one to go up this tower, in contrast to Ambuluwawa Tower.

The Ambuluwawa biodiversity complex itself offers an amazing view of the valley down. The gardens of the complex offer a serene feeling, which is enhanced by the lakes, which are a peaceful escape from the crowd hustling to climb the tower.