Inspired by the pleasure gardens of the demon-king Ravana, the 28-hectare Hakgala Botanical Gardens (botanicgardens.gov.lk; adult/child Rs 3540/1770), located 10km southeast of Nuwara Eliya on the Badulla road, are the second-largest of five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. They were originally established in 1861 to cultivate the South American Cinchona succirubra, whose bark was used for the production of anti-malarial quinine, and then transformed into bona fide botanic gardens in 1884. Today, they serve as a sanctuary for over 10,000 floral species, including some rare endemics. They are at their blooming best from March to May.
Stroll the several kilometers of footpaths that run up and down its hillside territory to find a Japanese rock garden, wild orchid collection and arboretum. Badulla- or Welimada-bound buses can drop you at the entrance. A return tuk tuk ride will set you back around Rs 4000.
