As you travel to the central hills of Sri Lanka, towards the cultural city of Kandy, make sure you make a stop at the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. With the never-ending beauty of nature around you, you’ll leave awe struck!
The history
The gardens were developed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe where royal visitors were entertained during his time. It was originally conceived in 1821 and converted into Botanical Gardens in 1821, by the British, six years after the fall of the last king of Sri Lanka. All imported crops such as coffee, tea, rubber, nutmeg, and cinchona were tested here.
The location
This garden is one of the finest of its kind in Asia, is the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka. Located in the city of Kandy, the gateway to the central highlands at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level. The town of Peradeniya is located 110 kilometres from Colombo, and plenty of Kandy hotels are within proximity to the gardens. Options such as Earl’s Regency is located a mere 32 minutes from the gardens and is a great option to stay at.
The vegetation
The vegetation you’ll find in the gardens is mainly tropical, with over 4000 species of flora to appreciate. You can stroll around the whole day, appreciating the nature around you. One of the many fascinating sights here is the snake creeper, whose tangled aerial roots looks a lot like a knot of vipers. The spice garden, memorial trees, an artificial lake, and suspension bridge are a few more spots you mustn’t miss!
| Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+ |
