Peradeniya Botanical Gardens & Hindagala Viharaya

Tropical Sri Lanka is best glimpsed through a walk into the Peradeniya botanical gardens founded in 1821 to introduce coffee to the region. It occupies 146 acres along a loop of the Mahaweli river and contains around 4000 species developed into one of the best in Asia. Not to missed the great circle, royal palm avenue, orchid house, great lawn and giant tropical trees and of course the flowers.

Hindagala viharaya hidden away on a rock outcrop near the university of Peradeniya. Its rock inscriptions dates from the 6^th century A.D. and also contains some of the oldest painting found in the Kandyan region, which dates from the 6^th century A.D. relating them to the same period as the famous Sigiriya frescoes.

Duration of visit:  ½ day.