Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
About This Place
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
One of the finest botanical gardens in Asia, covering 147 acres on a loop of the Mahaweli River near Kandy. Founded in 1371 as a royal pleasure garden and developed into a scientific botanical garden by the British in 1821. Home to over 4,000 species of plants including a famous avenue of royal palms, an orchid house, a bamboo garden, medicinal plant collection, spice garden, and the iconic giant Javan fig tree — one of the largest trees in Asia. The garden is also a major centre for tea and rubber research.
Difficulty
🧭 easy
Best Time
📅 Year-round; best in morning before midday heat; avoid rainy season for garden walks.
Safety Rating
Accessibility & Visitor Info
Well-maintained paths throughout; flat terrain near river, some gentle hills; entry fee applies; tuk-tuks can hire inside for elderly visitors.
📖 Legends & Stories
The gardens were originally planted as a pleasure garden for the Kandyan royal family. Legend holds that the giant Java fig tree at the centre of the gardens was planted by a Kandyan queen who wanted shade for royal processions. The British adapted the gardens for economic botany, researching crops that would later be exported globally from Ceylon.
Location
📍 Find It Here
7.268400, 80.594500
Community
Visitor Comments (0)
No comments yet
Be the first to share your experience!