Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Peradeniya

Peradeniya is well known city, which is located at the valley of river Mahaweli and closer to Kandy city. Peradeniya is one of the attractive city in Sri Lanka due to the beauty, nature, comfortable climate, attractiveness of the University and the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya.

Normally, the climate is not extremely cold or extremely hot in this city. It is always laysin between 20 °C to 25 °C. So, when we wanted to relax and fun time with friends, we used to go to this city, while I was doing my bachelor degree in Sri Lanka. The environment of the city provides an appropriate background for outdoor activities specially for walking, cycling and climbing the mountain. When I mentioned the mountain climbing and trekking, Hanthana mountain is very important. Hanathana is a consistent of chain of seven mountains, which was surrounded by the forest, tea states and river branches.

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I was lucky enough to spend few months in this city during the student exchange program between my home university and Peradeniya University. During the stay, we climbed Hanthana mountain, which is considered with 7 mountains. During our journey to Hanthana, we were guided by the senior university students, who had an advance knowledge about each step of Hanthana mountain chain. So, my advice is to accompany a well know guide for your trip to Hanthana since the chance of getting lost yourself is high without the sufficient knowledge about the area and routes. During the first two kilometers of our journey, we travelled on a footpath, which was covered from huge trees and the small bushes. Even if, the path was difficult due to upside slopes and bushes, the natural sceneries were beautiful and helped to vanish our exhausted. After passing few kilometres, we had to clear our paths by our own by clearing the bushes and the small plant. Sometimes we had to cross the river branches without bridges. For these things, we were equipped with knifes, ropes and other necessary equipment. Besides that, we had the medicines for mosquitoes and leaches. So, I recommend wearing proper shoes and also to have the proper medicines.

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At the end of the journey, we reached the top of the hill and the scenery from the top of the mountain was so amazing. We could see the University from far away. I would recommend you go there to watch the sunset, which is breath taking.

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When I speak about Peradeniya, I should mention about the Peradeniya University as well. The university area is surrounded by this beautiful mountain chain and add an additional Beauty to the university. The University was instituted officially in 1952 with the agricultural and medical faculties. Today it has been expanded up to nine faculties. This university is one of the huge and the oldest universities in Sri Lanka. Due to the fact of being second oldest university in Sri Lanka, it has attributed colonial and traditional Sri Lankan architecture in the building as well as in the garden. The University operates more than 15 student clubs such as sports clubs. Besides that, this place was based for lot of literatures, poems, writings, songs, dramas as well as for the novel, due to the romantic and unforgettable memories of the university life. Among them, "Hanthanata Payana Sanda" song is well famous over the country from old times to nowadays.

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Besides that, this place is the most romantic university in Sri Lanka. The huge garden and the old trees in the university add a romantic and peaceful background to this place. Due to the fact, most of the young people are willing to have their education in this university. Small waterfalls and the watershed are common to see in this area. If you wish to discover the nature then this is one of the best places spend few days.

Besides the university, a world famous botanical garden is located at this city. This botanical garden was instituted in 1821 by Alexander during the colonization era. For the first time, Britain used this garden for cinnamon and coffee plantation. After passing few years, the botanical garden was formally instituted in 1843 and expanded with the help of George Gardner. Most of the local and foreign tourists attract to this garden due to typical flora, old trees and the beauty. Among them, young couples also go there to have a romantic and quality time with each other due to relaxing environment. Even today, hundred years old trees beautify this place as they did in the past.

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You can find lot of accommodations in this city for a reasonable price. If you are an Erasmus student, you can apply accommodations in the university hostel. But I must say that, due to the shared bathrooms and shared rooms, it was bit uncomfortable for me, since there was a huge queue for the bathroom in the morning. But you can rent appartaments for both students and foreign travellers in this city. Along with them, lot of B&B and other hotels proved comfortable stay for tourists.

People are very friendly and they live peacefully. They do not hesitate to share the details with other. So, you can have a good journey there. Specially I must recommend the typical Sri Lankan meals in this area since they are tastier due to freshness of the vegetables.

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(Photos were taken from the internet to convey to true impression of the city).