The Garden of the Master of the Nets (Wangshi Yuan), built in 1174 A.D. during the Song Dynasty, is characteristic of the most exquisite garden-houses in Suzhou. The western court of the garden with the peony cottage is the original model from which the Ming Hall in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City was copied in 1981 and the Pompidou Center in Paris in 1982.

The garden is divided into three sections: a residential section, the central main garden and an inner garden. The main garden has a large pond that is surrounded by pathways and a variety of buildings such as the Ribbon Washing Pavillion, and the Pavillion for the advent of the Moon and Wind. There are many more buildings that are situated so that there is never a sense of crowding, but always of spaciousness. As is common in Suzhou gardens, the pond has a small pavilion in it. Here the pavilion is accessible by a bridge that is less than one foot wide.

As you walk about the gardens and along the walkways, there are often views through windows onto beautiful flowers or plants framing them from a distance and drawing you to a single sight, a moment of peaceful natural beauty. As you walk through the buildings, it is easy to imagine the life that the original residents lived in a feudal society where these gardens were solely for their pleasure and the pleasure of their guests. The various buildings are constructed so that you can always access the main garden from any room. The rooms themselves are quite impressive in design and ornamentation and well represent the style of the Song Dynasty.

Travel Tips:

Admission Fee :CNY 30 (Mar.1 to May 31 and Sep. 1 to Nov. 30)
CNY 20 (June 1 to Aug. 31 and Dec. 1 to Apr. 30)

Opening Hours: 08:00 to 17:00

Bus Route: 2, 4, 14, 31