Why Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya will steal your heart
Just a few kilometres outside Kandy, where the Mahaweli River loops around a gentle hill, lies one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya cover 147 acres and are home to more than 4,000 species of plants. Whether you love gardens or simply want a peaceful, shady morning, it's a delight.
The site was once a royal pleasure garden for the kings of Kandy. The British developed it into a botanical garden in the 19th century, and it became a centre for studying and introducing plants such as coffee, tea, rubber and cinchona, which shaped the island's economy.
Wander down the grand avenues of royal palms and cabbage palms, towering straight and tall like columns in a cathedral. Admire the giant Javan fig tree on the Great Lawn, whose enormous, spreading branches form a living green umbrella so wide it seems to go on forever. Look up into the tall trees by the river, and you may see hundreds of large fruit bats hanging from the branches.
The orchid house is a highlight, bursting with colour and scent, and there's also a spice garden where you can see cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper growing. Don't miss the memorial trees planted by famous visitors over the years, including royalty and world leaders, or the suspension bridge swaying gently across the river.
It's a perfect place to slow down between busier sightseeing days: take a picnic, find a bench beneath a giant tree and watch local families and couples enjoying the gardens. Families love the open lawns, garden lovers could spend a whole day, and photographers will find beauty in every corner.
