Malta Gardens: Chinese Garden Of Serenity

This week I had the opportunity to visit the Chinese Garden Of Serenity in Santa Lucija, a small village in the South of Malta.  Opened in 1998 this garden was a collaboration between Malta and the Republic of China, and was designed and built by Chinese workers.  Sadly, few people seem to know this little gem exists and, luckily for me, it was completely deserted when I visited the place.

Driveway leading up to the Main Entrance

The first thing that caught my attention as I was walking up to the main entrance is a Maltese Rock-Centaury, planted right next to a commemorative plaque.  This is the national plant of Malta.  It is endemic to Malta, and considered critically endangered.  This plant is a rare sight, and grows naturally on coastal limestone cliffs, so I was quite surprised, and delighted to see it here.  

Maltese Rock-Centaury

The main entrance leads on to a lovely courtyard, where a large rock structure greeted me.  The rock symbolises a god surrounded by trees and flowers.  There is an inscription behind the rock which translates to 'the pleasure of heaven'.  This place is a good introduction for more beautiful places to come, and it certainly helps to set to mood as I absorbed the peace and quiet, and a sense of tranquillity set in.

Courtyard off the main entrance

Gorgeous Pink Flowers

Leading off to the left is a zig zag of small courtyards all adjoining by flower shaped entry ways.  Each small courtyard has its own small garden, like small little surprises as is typical of a Chinese garden. The entryways form a sort of passage way, and as I progressed I started hearing the sound of water splashing.  I headed towards the sound, and finally came out of the last opening on to an impressive pond and waterfall.

Entry way onto the balcony with the Main Hall on the other side

Waterfall at the far end of the pool

Coming out of the balcony, a passageway leads to a zig zag bridge crossing over a small stream.  The bridge leads to a passage going right around the pond, and crossing it is like crossing over to a different world altogether.  Here the terrain changes to beautiful mosaic laid entirely by hand.

Hand laid beautiful mosaic on the ground 

Zig zag bridge crossing a small stream

View of the pond from the bridge

As I walked across to the other side of the pond, the Main Hall with a lovely terrace is the perfect spot to stand and admire all the surrounding buildings.  As I was standing there, listening to the water fall and gazing at the green water, a feeling of peace and awe hit me. My mind drifted off, and I could just imagine myself wearing sandals and a geisha looking over at the surrounding buildings like I owned the place.......

View from the terrace

Side View of the Pond

Just as I was feeling all important something in the pond caught my attention.  I was brought back to reality, and I quickly grabbed my camera.  I came face to face with the true owner of the pond. A turtle jutted it head out just in time for me to grab a quick shot of it before it disappeared once again underwater.  Dragonflies were also present here, but they were too quick for me. I was completely mellowed down, and couldn't face up to the challenge of chasing them around to get a shot.

Quick shot of a turtle swimming in the pond

Moving on behind the Main Hall another garden presents itself in a maze of hedges and pathways.  I came across what seems to be a Maltese Everlasting.  This is another plant which is endemic to Malta, and I was glad that I found it here because I never came across it in the wild.

Butterflies seem to love this plant

Maltese Everlasting?

One plant that is dominant in this garden, and is typical in Maltese gardens everywhere is the Lantana plant.  I came across hedges of the classic red and yellow flowered variety as well as bushes with pink flowers which are not as common.  It is a blessing that they chose this particular plant because butterflies were plentiful, and added to the serenity of the place.

Winding pathway leading away from the Main Hall

Pink Flowered Lantana Bush

Another plant which was also plentiful in this garden, and is also a common attraction in Maltese public gardens and households is the Hibiscus plant.  The flowers were rather wilted from the June heat, but I was able to get a picture just the same.

Pink Hibiscus Flower

As I was walking amongst the hedges I could hear the crackling of leaves as little critters moved about in the foliage.  I came across one of them, and managed to get a shot just before it noticed me, and disappeared from sight in a split second.  Lizards are plentiful in Malta, and you can find them wherever there is a spot in the sun.  Summer is their prime time, and they enjoy nothing better than to lay in the sun all day waiting for some unsuspecting insect to come along.

Lizard basking in the morning sun

Finally it was time to leave this peaceful place.  As I headed out I came across a trailing Lantana plant with yellow flowers.   There were so many butterflies on this plant I just stood there enjoying the moment as they flew from one flower to the next, going on with their business, completely ignoring my presence.

Butterfly on the trailing Lantana

This is definitely a place to visit with a good book, and some time on your hands.  It is a place worthy of its name. As you sit by the pond overlooking the beautiful surroundings, you cannot help but feeling a sense of peace and serenity.