Sri Lanka has natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and historical landmarks that attract millions of tourists worldwide. Its tropical climate is ideal for the growth of various indigenous plants making it an excellent source of preservation and conservation. Sri Lanka is home to some of the best botanical gardens. One of them is the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, also known as Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka is spread across nearly 60 hectares. The flowering trees, palms, orchids, and gymnosperms are some of the garden’s main attractions.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka At A Glance
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- It is spread across 147 acres or 59 hectares of land, making it the biggest botanical garden in Sri Lanka. It is situated at an elevation of 460 meters above sea level.
- It is located next to Sri Lanka’s longest river, the Mahaweli River. The river surrounds the garden on the north, east, and west sides. On the South side, it is connected to a road.
- It was established in 1821, when the British occupied the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka, and was named Royal Botanic Gardens.
- The botanical garden has more than 4000 species of plants under cultivation.
- The main highlights of the botanical gardens are the fantastic varieties of orchids, which come in various vibrant colours and patterns. There are more than 300 orchid varieties here.
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka has one of Asia’s top collections of palm trees with over 220 species.
- More than 1.2 million local people and 400,000 foreign tourists visit the botanical gardens annually.
- The Department of National Botanic Gardens manages the garden, which employs more than 400 people.
- The National Herbarium of Sri Lanka is close to the botanical gardens.
- It has a memorial collection that comprises trees planted at the botanical garden by important people such as royalty, state guests, and state heads.
- It has the Giant Bamboo of Burma, one of the tallest bamboos ever grown, at a towering 130 feet and a diameter of 10 inches.
- It is quite close to the Kandy-Colombo Road, so it is convenient for local and foreign tourists to travel to the gardens.
- Entry fee: INR 415 (Foreign tourist aged 5 years to 12 years), INR 555 (Foreign tourist who is a student), INR 830 (Foreign tourist aged 13 and above)
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History Of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka
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Founded in 1821, the gardens were primarily established to boost Sri Lanka’s economy. At the time, the gardens were filled with just tropical plants and coffee trees. Two decades later, the gardens became the prime location for other horticulture activities and gained prominence for botanical significance. During the 1870s, under the leadership of George H. K. Thwaites, the tea industry was established. It started to flourish after a few years when he decided to cultivate other plants and trees in the gardens. This went on to help the economy. Over time, work continued with improvements in the gardens. Today, it has become one of the finest botanical marvels in Sri Lanka.
What To See
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Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka has so many amazing sections that you will wonder where to start. Here are some of the best regions you must see when you visit the gardens.
- Orchid House: Here, you can find the biggest orchid in the world, along with over 300 types of orchids in stunning colours and patterns.
- Fernery: If you want to see various exotic species of plants and over 100 indigenous plants, you must visit the fernery. The tall trees provide ample shade.
- Great Lawn: The most highlighted aspect is the Java Fig Tree, also known as Java Willow, which spreads its branches like an umbrella.
- Spice Garden: Get ready to explore nutmeg trees planted in the 1840s still functioning. You will find pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Double Coconut Palms: The botanical garden has over 200 species of palm trees, the best of which is the Double Coconut palm tree, which is originally from Seychelles.
- Plant House: Although it is smaller than the Orchid House, you can find many greenhouse plants here, such as African Violets, Ferns, and Calacthea.
- Cactus House: Here, you can find more than 800 specimens of cacti plants, such as Rebutia, agaves, Rhipsalis, and Opuntia.
- Bamboo Collection: You will find many bamboo trees here, including the bamboo from Burma, which is among the biggest in the world, growing up to 40 metres in height and 25 cm in diameter.
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Best Time To Visit
Image Source: Bernard Gagnon for Wikimedia Commons
The beauty of Sri Lanka is that it is a tropical island country, and the botanical gardens are verdant almost every year. The North East Monsoons and South-West monsoons provide abundant rainfall. Whenever you decide to tour Sri Lanka, you can visit these luscious gardens and have the best time. But if you are specific about going there during the optimal time, you can visit the gardens from April to June, August, September, and December. The flowering is best during these months. Tourists generally flock to the gardens during these times!
How To Reach Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka
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There are various ways to reach the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka.
- The Torrington bus station in Kandy is the closest to the gardens. The gardens are just 6 km from the bus stand so that you can hire a tuk-tuk or a taxi from there.
- The closest railway station to the botanical gardens is Kandy station. The distance between the station and the gardens is just 5.5 km. You can hire a tuk-tuk or a taxi from the railway station.
- You can fly to Bandaranaike International Airport, the closest airport to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka. Then hire a taxi as the gardens are 114 km from the airport.
Further Read: UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Sri Lanka
Witness the gorgeous flowers, gigantic trees, and more than 400 species. Explore the wide collection of plants you have never seen before. Make your exciting trip to Sri Lanka to witness the beauty of nature at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Are you ready for a new adventure with your loved ones among the best of nature?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka
What makes Peradeniya Gardens so special compared to other botanical gardens in Sri Lanka?
The botanical garden stands out from the rest because it has an extensive collection of flora such as 300 types of orchids and more than 10,000 trees.
Which is the biggest botanical garden in Sri Lanka?
The Royal Botanical Gardens or the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Sri Lanka is the largest in the island country.
Which other famous botanical gardens to visit in Sri Lanka?
The others are Medicinal Plant Garden, Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens, Henerathgoda Botanic Gardens, Mirijjawila Botanic Gardens, and Hakgala Botanical Gardens.
How many visitors come to the gardens per year?
More than 1.6 million people, both local and foreign tourists, visit the Peradeniya Gardens yearly.
How much time is needed to visit the botanical gardens?
You will need at least a couple of hours to fully explore every nook and corner of the garden as there is so much to see. Make sure you set aside enough time to properly see everything.
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