Ceylon Tea Museum Kandy
To watch all photos in the Gallery, click on the photo above here.
Nestled just south of the hill-city of Kandy in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Tea Museum is housed in the historic Hantana tea-factory building and offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the island’s tea heritage. The museum brings together donated machines from Sri Lanka’s estates, detailed history panels on tea pioneers such as Sir Lipton, and a final tasting that makes the visit memorable.
Exploring the five floors
Although many descriptions mention four floors, your visit revealed five distinct levels:
-
Historical panels profiling tea-industry
Ground Floor: Step into the industrial heart – original rollers, dryers, sorters and fermentation tables once donated by local tea estates. These machines reflect the mechanics of tea production in the factory-era Ceylon.
-
First Floor: Head upstairs to the library and museum displays. Here, you’ll find historical panels profiling tea-industry giants such as Sir Thomas Lipton and other 19th/20th century planters, and the evolution of Sri Lankan tea cultivation from colonial times.
-
Second Floor: A deeper dive into machinery and process. Many of the vintage machines on this level were donated by several working tea factories in Sri Lanka, preserving real-world equipment for visitors to see up close.
-
Third Floor: Tea-café with panoramic views; comfortable seating, a telescope pointing out across the hills of Kandy, and your included tea-tasting experience. Tea sales gallery and display of estate labels. This is where you can view and purchase high-grade Ceylon teas, perfectly placed before finishing with the café.
A guided tour that adds value
Thomas at Ceylon Tea Museum Kandy with Phadma the guide
A highlight of the visit was the tour led by the helpful staff — in particular Phadma, our guide, who explained each machine in the context of the tea-making process: from withering and rolling leaves to drying, sorting and packing. Her clarity, friendly attitude and English explanations made a difference.
I recommend spending time listening to her detailed explanations of how the machines donated by working factories still reflect real practice, rather than just static displays.
The tea-tasting finale
Our comprehensive tea tasting
At the end of the tour you’ll be offered a complimentary cup of the museum’s best black tea — a warm welcome. For a more immersive experience, you can opt for the 1000 LKR (~US $3) tasting of seven different qualities of tea, which gives you a real sense of flavour variation. Entry to the museum was only 1000 LKR (~US $3) at the time of visit — excellent value.
Tip: Arrive in the morning when the café views are best and the machinery displays are quieter.
Why it matters
The museum tells the story of how Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) became one of the world’s premier tea-producing countries — from the plantation era and experimental cultivation, to the modern industry. Exhibits cover the shift from coffee to tea in the 19th century, the work of planters like Lipton, and the role of estates and processing machinery in building the economy.
For tea-lovers, history buffs or those looking for a break from the standard Kandy attractions, this museum offers calm, retail-free contemplation and real insight.
Visitor Tips
-
Get a tuk-tuk or taxi from central Kandy; the museum lies about 3-4 km on the Hantana road.
-
Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll climb a couple of flights of stairs and spend 60-90 minutes.
-
Want a good photo? The top-floor café view of green hills is ideal.
-
Tea purchasing: bring a little extra cash if you plan to buy a souvenir blend or premium estate teas at a 10% discount on the standard prices.
For more information, visit the museum’s official site here: Ceylon Tea Museum
View 360 Hotel by Queens Mount
The Asian Itinerary team was kindly hosted by View 360 Hotel by Queens Mount, which offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and free WiFi, ensuring a pleasant stay.
Visit their FACEBOOK page HERE.
Metro Tours & Rent A Car
Asian Itinerary explored Sri Lanka by car, courtesy of Metro Tours & Rent A Car, proudly serving travelers across the island since 2005. With over 20 years of experience and a 4.9-star rating from 220+ Google reviews, they are a trusted name in car rentals, known for quality service and customer satisfaction.
WEBSITE: https://metrotours.lk/
EMAIL: metrotoursrentacar@gmail.com
WHATSAPP: +94 777327285
