Situated approximately 5.5 kilometres from the city of Kandy, the Royal Botanical Gardens is renowned for having over 4,000 species of flowers. It is therefore a must-visit when visiting Kandy.
History of the Garden
While the history of this garden can be traced back to the era of King Wickramabahu III, the garden was created in 1821. During this period, Alexander Moon used this space for his coffee and cinnamon plants. But in 1843, the garden was formally created when plants were brought down from Colombo, Kalutara Gardens and Kew Garden in London.
Size and Management
Whether staying at a honeymoon hotel in Kandy the likes of Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy or a guesthouse, take the time to visit this garden which is one of the oldest in the country. Spanning an area of 147 acres, this garden requires constant maintenance. This task has been undertaken by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture and the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka.
The Flora
The variety of plants this garden contains can seem astounding. That is because, in addition to flowers such as orchids, the garden also contains spices and medicinal plants. Furthermore, there are palm trees that line the pathways and provide shade to its visitors. While the garden is renowned for its orchid collection, the other collections are not to be missed.
How to Travel Through the Gardens
Due to the sheer size of the garden, it can take anywhere from three to four hours to explore this space. However, it is possible to book a buggy cart to travel through the gardens. But this reservation must be made in advance.
