Ceylon Tea Museum, Tea museum in Hanthana, Sri Lanka
The Ceylon Tea Museum occupies a former tea factory building from 1925 in Hanthana, displaying across four floors machinery, equipment, and artifacts from tea production. The collection documents the complete story of how Ceylon tea was grown, processed, and developed into a global product.
Tea cultivation arrived in Sri Lanka during the 1800s and quickly replaced coffee production, transforming the island's economy. The Hanthana factory, built in 1925, operated for decades before being restored and converted into a museum in 2001.
The museum tells the story of how tea became central to Sri Lankan identity and economy, and visitors can witness the traditional methods that established this lasting heritage.
The museum is best visited in the morning or early afternoon when the factory building is well lit. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there are stairs between the four floors.
The top floor contains a functioning restaurant where visitors can taste different Ceylon tea varieties while looking out at mountains through large windows. This blend of historical learning and present-day tea culture creates a memorable experience.
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