Central Province: Gardens, Highlands and Culture

Gardens with an exceptional variety of plants, trails through the highlands and significant Buddhist sites give Sri Lanka’s Central Province many different facets. When planning your trip, it is worth choosing a focus early: Would you like to experience botanical collections and birds, go hiking or explore cultural sites? These different themes offer a range of ideas if you are looking for a holiday rental in the Central Province and want to plan your days around your own interests.

Gardens and plant diversity

The Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya are located in the Central Province and include more than 4,000 plant species. These include orchids, spice plants, medicinal plants and palms. The gardens were established in 1821. The Orchid House is a particular highlight: It displays exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda, as well as their hybrids. Visitors interested in different plant groups will find several specific areas of interest within the gardens.

The Hakgala Gardens also combine garden history with nature observation. They were established in 1861 and include numerous rose varieties and orchid species. Endemic bird species are regularly seen there. In the centre of Nuwara Eliya, there is also Victoria Park, a 27-acre ornamental park. Its rare native and migratory bird species include the Indian Blue Robin and the Kashmir Flycatcher. For nature-minded travellers, these examples complement the botanical collections with opportunities for birdwatching.

Highland trails and protected landscapes

Horton Plains National Park in Pattipola is a protected area in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Montane grassland and cloud forest define its landscape. The visitor centre is the starting point for the 9 km main route. The Kirigalpoththa Trail through the national park is a separate route: It is 7 km one way and takes approximately five and a half hours of trekking. These details help distinguish the two routes when planning your day, rather than combining them into a single route.

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in the Matale and Kandy districts and forms part of the Central Highlands World Heritage Site. The Knuckles Mountain Forest Range is home to 128 bird species, 20 amphibian species, 53 reptile species, 15 freshwater species and 31 mammal species. Another hiking option is the trail to Corbett’s Gap: It runs mostly along an abandoned jeep track through the Knuckles Conservation Forest, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deanston is also a hiking destination in the Knuckles Mountain Range; the round trip from there to its viewpoint is 3 km in total.

Meemure is a traditional village in the Central Province, on the boundary between Kandy District and Matale District, surrounded by the Knuckles Mountain Range. Activities available there include birdwatching, cycling, mountaineering, hiking, photography and safaris. The character of the village is also shaped by forms of traditional hospitality that are still practised. Weaving mats from sedge and making products from cane or rattan are household crafts there.

Cultural sites and local interests

Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is an active Buddhist place of worship with five cave shrines. It is associated with an unbroken tradition of Buddhist ritual practice and pilgrimage spanning more than two millennia. The Museum of Wall Painting of the Central Cultural Fund, which displays Sri Lankan cave and wall paintings, is located on the grounds of Rangiri Dambulla Raja Maha Vihara in Dambulla. In Kandy, the Kandy Dalada Perahera takes place every year during the Esala festival in July or August.

Historical sites also include Natha Devalaya, considered the oldest building in old Kandy and located directly opposite Sri Dalada Maligawa. Balana Fortress is associated with battles against European invaders during the era of the Kingdom of Kandy. To reach it, visitors leave the road and climb approximately 500 metres through a tea plantation. For planning your day, this walking detail sets it apart from the gardens and cultural sites described above.

Tea and mountain scenery can also be considered as separate themes. The Hanthana Tea Museum can arrange a tea sample or tasting on request. Loolecondera Tea Estate is considered the birthplace of Ceylon Tea; from the estate, you can hike to the summit of Kondagala, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area. The Hanthana Mountain Range has four trekking routes and is home to approximately 120 bird species and around 95 butterfly species. When choosing an area for your holiday rental, you can first decide whether gardens, highland hikes, culture or tea will be the focus of your trip.

More places in the Central Province

For further reference, here are the subordinate places: Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kitulgala, Nallathanniya, Galagedara, Harangala, Galaha, Maskeliya, Galewela, Gelioya, Aswalapitiya, Talawakelle, Pattiyamulla, Naula, Akurana, Hewaheta, Kandapola, Katugastota, Pallegama, Kiriwan Eliya, Ulapane, Sirimalwatta, Haliyadda, Matale, Udapussallawa, Watawala, Gurulupotha, Polgolla, Hindagala, Nanuoya, Tawalantenne, Haragama, Ampitiya, Nortonbridge, Meemure, Hunnasgiriya, Bogawantalawa, Muruthalawa and Hakgala.

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