Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

Bordered on three sides by the Mahaweli River, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were once the pleasure garden of a Kandyan king before being formally established by the British in 1821. Highlights include an Orchid House with over 300 rare varieties, a giant Javanese fig tree whose canopy sprawls across 2,400 square meters, and majestic royal palm avenues planted by world dignitaries.