Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
9
Amaara Sky Hotel
D2
10
Amaya Hills
D3
11
Baramba House
C2
12
The Elephant Stables
D1
13
The Kandy House
F2
Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
GARDENS
At one time these beautiful botanical gardens were reserved exclusively for Kandyan roy-
alty. Today even commoners are allowed into what are, at 60 hectares, the largest and most
impressive botanic gardens in Sri Lanka.
The many highlights include a fine collection of orchids and a stately avenue of royal
palms. Another big hit is the giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn. Covering 2500 sq
metres, it's like a giant, living geodesic dome.
On weekends and holidays the gardens are packed with romantically inclined local tour-
ists, and it can be hard to move without tripping over yet another canoodling young
couple.
If food is more a priority than love, you'll find an overpriced cafeteria (mains Rs 550 to
Rs 1000) about 500m north of the entrance, serving Western and Sri Lankan food on a
roofed verandah. A better option is to stock up on picnic items. Just keep a close eye on
the insistent posse of local dogs.
Bus 644 (Rs 15) from Kandy's clock-tower bus stop goes to the gardens. A three-wheel-
er from Kandy is around Rs 700 return; a van is around Rs 1500. Many taxi drivers incor-
porate a visit to the gardens with the
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage
or the Kandy temple
loop.
Kandy War Cemetery
CEMETERY
