The historical Peradeniya Botanical Gardens or the Royal Botanical Gardens, lies 120 km from Colombo. Kandy and Peradeniya are two renowned cities in the world due to these natural historical places. Many tourists as well as locals throng the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens each year. Iconic neighbors to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are the Hantana Mountain Range and the Peradeniya University. This places the Gardens on a high pedestal in the historical archives of Sri Lanka. During the reign of the Kandyan Kingdom, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were used by royal children as a play park.
The longest river in Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Ganga flows serenely alongside the Gardens, which no doubt gives a “nutritious” boost to the Gardens.
In 1821, the British developed the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens by adding more acreage to the existing gardens.
More than 2 million tourists both local and foreign visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and no doubt they take back wonderful memories and experiences of this beautiful historical landscape. There are more than 4000 species of plants, trees and blooms that adorn the Gardens. Among this beautiful flora are a variety of orchids which are said to be the largest collection in the world.
The atmosphere within the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is serene and tranquil. Among the beautiful flora are the famous Orchid House, Royal Palm Avenue, and Suspension Bridge, a pond in the shape of Sri Lanka, The Great Lawn, the Fruit Bats and the beautiful trees planted along the avenue by visiting dignitaries. It is so right to call the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is equipped with all facilities that tourists can use when they are within the Gardens. Apart from these historic places such as the Dalada Maligawa, Ambakkay, Gadaladeniya Viharas can be visited. If you are in Kandy for a long period of time, you need to experience the beauty of the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, which is indeed a must on your itinerary.