Hakgala Botanical Garden: Where Sri Lanka’s Floral Beauty Meets the Majestic Hills

Hakgala Botanical Garden – Where Sri Lanka’s Floral Beauty Meets the Majestic Hills

Spanning 28 hectares, the picturesque Hakgala Botanical Garden derives its name from Hakgala Rock, which the garden sits under. Once you enter, the grounds stretch over terraces and natural rock slopes, with magnificent views facing the Uva Valley, Madulsima, and the Namunukula Mountain Range. Read on to find out more about what you can discover on a visit here.

Overview

This botanical garden was established in Nuwara Eliya in 1861 to promote and experiment with the cultivation of Chinchona in Sri Lanka. The atmosphere here is cool and subtropical, similar to alpine climates. The best time to visit here is during the ‘Nuwara Eliya Seasons’, which ranges from mid-March to the end of April. You can see a colourful display of seasonal flowers during this time.

Planning your visit

All visitors must purchase tickets to enter the gardens. If you’re a foreign student, you can show proof of your student ID and obtain the entrance pass for around 2000 LKR. All other visitors and children must pay about 3500 LKR and 1770 LKR per visit, respectively.  The gardens open at 7.30 AM every day, including national holidays, and are open for visitors until 5.00 PM. If you’re staying at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya, like the Araliya Red, you can easily get here via tuk-tuk or taxi.

The Bulb Garden and Central Pond

Once you pass the main drive, a footpath to your left takes you to the bulb garden, which contains a collection of Lilium, Agapanthus, Watsonia, Zephyranthes, and Gladiolus. Many of these plants were brought here from Japan and Holland when the structure was established in 1924. The central pond is an equally impressive attraction with varieties of water lilies and pines planted around the pond.

Rose Garden

Another thing the Hakgala Garden is famous for is its Rose garden. The collection houses modern and pure rose varieties imported from the USA and UK. The area is lovingly manicured and maintained on a twin-terraced land. If you want to click beautiful pictures and enjoy the serene and calming vibes, this is one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya.