Covering just 0.6 hectares, the Master of Nets Garden is considered the most perfect of Suzhou`s classical gardens and has had a tremendous influence on the development of Chinese landscape gardening. This exemplar of a "miniature garden" demonstrates how to create the illusion of infinite nature within a small space. The Master of Nets Garden became the prototype for many European "Chinese gardens."
Philosophical Depth – It embodies Taoist principles of unity between opposites:
• Balance of yin (water, soft lines) and yang (stones, architecture)
• Feng shui principles: water as a symbol of wealth, orientation of structures according to cardinal directions
• "Borrowed scenery" – a technique of incorporating distant views into the garden`s composition
Construction History and Owners
The garden was created in 1140 by the official Shi Zhengzi as the "Fisherman`s Garden." It received its current name in the 18th century when it was purchased by the official Song Zongyuan, who was inspired by the idea of "simplicity as the highest mastery."
In the 19th century, the garden passed to the Qu family, who carried out a large-scale reconstruction. In 1958, it was opened to the public, and in 1997, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Layout of the Master of Nets Garden
• The garden is divided into three distinct zones:
• Residential area – a traditional Chinese house with inner courtyards
• Central pond – the heart of the garden, home to golden carp
• Inner garden – a miniature landscape with artificial hills
Features:
• Perfect proportions of all elements
• Carefully planned viewpoints
• Play of reflections in the water
• Shifting perspectives as you move through the garden
Pavilions of the Master of Nets Garden
• Hall of Spring Waters – the main pavilion by the pond
• Pavilion for Viewing Pines – a place for meditation
• Pavilion of Accumulated Elegance – showcases the art of miniature
• Jade Belt Bridge – an elegant stone arch
What Tourists Should See
• Morning mist over the pond – a magical sight
• Golden carp – a symbol of wealth and good fortune
• Taihu Lake stone compositions – masterpieces of garden art
• Windows with carved lattices – each frames a "living painting"
• Shifting perspectives – the garden looks different from every angle
Philosophical Aspects
The garden embodies the concept of the "Dao" – the path to harmony through:
• Unity of opposites (water/stones, light/shadow)
• Cyclical nature of the seasons
• Simplicity as the highest refinement
Tips for Visitors:
• Visit in the morning on a weekday
• Rent an audio guide in Russian
• Pay attention to details – they matter more than the overall view
• Try to spot all nine "borrowed scenery" views
