Gampaha is a lively city surrounded by picturesque tea fields and coffee plantations. Escape the crowds in the beautiful botanical garden and at nearby Buddhist temples and ruins. Ride the train into Colombo to sightsee in the Sri Lankan capital.
Things to do in Gampaha
Visit Gampaha Botanical Garden and see the first rubber tree planted in Sri Lanka. The garden was laid out more than 100 years ago and features palm-lined paths and grassy lawns shaded by enormous ebony, ironwood and mahogany trees.
Henarathgoda Old Railway Station is a relic from the British colonial era. The station was built in 1866 to transport tea and coffee from the surrounding plantations to Colombo. Today it’s a protected monument. Guided tours take you into the surrounding tea fields and coffee plantations, where rows of emerald-green shrubs cascade down the hillsides. Tour the plantations to learn how the crops are harvested before enjoying a cup of tea on a sunny terrace.
Admire colourful paintings inside Asgiriya Rajamaha Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple perched on a nearby hilltop. The temple dates to the reign of King Valagamba in the 2nd century and is decorated with beautiful Buddhist art.
Use Gampaha as a base to sightsee in Colombo. It’s known as the “Garden City of the East” and filled with towering trees. Browse trendy boutiques in the beautifully restored Dutch Hospital district and brush up on Sri Lankan history at the National Museum. Galle Face Green overlooks the coast and is a lovely place to stroll, watch the sunset and enjoy “isso wade” deep-fried shrimp, a popular street food snack.
Getting around Gampaha
Tuk-tuks are a fast and affordable way to get around Gampaha, while taxis are a more comfortable option. Gampaha is in the Western Province, one-hour from Colombo by car and train. Bandaranaike International Airport is a 45-minute drive away.