Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
පේරාදෙණිය උද්භිද උද්යානය
Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden, with highlights including an orchid house, spice gardens, the Royal Palm Avenue, a giant Java fig tree and trees planted by visiting dignitaries.
The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens lie about 6 km southwest of Kandy. They cover roughly 60 hectares and are bordered on three sides by the Mahaweli River. The gardens originated as the royal gardens of the Kandyan kingdom. Highlights include the orchid house, spice garden, the Royal Palm Avenue, a huge Java fig tree whose canopy spreads like an umbrella, and trees planted by heads of state from around the world. Premier Zhou Enlai also planted a tree here. Admission for foreigners is about 3,000 rupees, and the gardens are open roughly 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can reach them from Kandy by bus or tuk-tuk in about 20 minutes. The gardens are large, so rent an electric cart or allow at least three hours.
Opening hours
07:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Ceylon Tea Museum
- Gadaladeniya Vihara
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
- Kandy Municipal Central Market
- Arthur's Seat Viewpoint
- Lankatilaka Vihara
- Kandy National Museum & Royal Palace
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic