Located in Hantane, just 3 kilometers south of Kandy, the Ceylon Tea Museum stands as a testament to the rich legacy of tea in Sri Lanka. Originally built in 1925, this unique museum offers you a journey into the origins and evolution of Ceylon tea. The drive up the hill to the museum is not just a commute; it’s a scenic adventure. With stunning views along the way, visitors are treated to the beauty of the surroundings in Hantane. The museum itself is a converted old tea factory.
As you step inside, the ground floor has 19th-century colonial tea-processing machinery. Generators, rollers, dryers, and sorting machines transport you back in time. It also contains exhibits on tea pioneers, including James Taylor and Thomas Lipton. The second floor houses a library and auditorium with facilities for audio visual presentations., The third floor invites visitors to tea sale outlets, while the top floor reveals a cafe, offering a panoramic view of hills in Kandy.

The museum’s exhibits feature milestones in the history of tea industry, from the first tea bag to first tea drying machine and the first tea rolling machine. There’s even a simulation that shows you how a tea factory works. Guides here are known to understand what visitors like, help them explore the exhibits with a good command of English.
Plan for at least two hours to fully explore the museum, allowing time to absorb the wealth of information and enjoy the scenic surroundings. The tour concludes with a delightful cup of Ceylon tea. For those planning a visit, the Ceylon Tea Museum welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, and on Sundays until 3:00 pm. It’s closed on Mondays and Poya days falling on weekdays. Ticket prices are 1000.00 LKR for non-resident adults and 500.00 LKR for non-resident children. Come and visit the Ceylon Tea Museum to discover the world of tea all under one roof.