Royal Botanic Garden

Peradeniya, a suburb of Kandy, is home to the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1371. This magnificent garden, which a Kandyan queen once enjoyed for recreation, is surrounded on three sides by a significant bend in the Mahaweli River. Originally the home of a Kandyan prince in the 18th century, the lush green thicket was transformed into one of the largest botanical gardens in the British Empire in the early 1800s. It served as the Allied Forces Headquarters for Asia for a brief period of time during the Second World War.

The gardens have more than 4000 distinct plant types, some of the best in Asia. The impressive orchid collection and a massive avenue of palm trees are the highlights. Along with a profusion of floral plants, you may also find a wide variety of medicinal plants and spices while meandering around the gardens. The magnificent collection of Sri Lankan, Asian, and foreign flora encompasses more than 60 hectares of exquisitely constructed lawns, pavilions, and plant homes, making for a fragrant, eye-catching sight. Beautiful streets continue on to areas bursting with tropical color and expansive lawns lined with gigantic trees.

If requested in advance, &BEYOND may arrange for buggy carts from the Gardens and can provide professional botanical tour guides to accompany you while you are visiting the gardens. They will discuss their knowledge of the buried plants and animals in the garden as well as their personal experiences with them. A typical visit lasts two to three hours.