Located at Kuo Jia Tou Lane in the southeastern part of the ancient city of Suzhou, the Master-of-Nets Garden covers only 0.6 hectare, but is an outstanding example of the small gardens of Suzhou. In 1982, it was listed as cultural relics of national importance. Serving as a fine specimen of the classical gardens of Suzhou, the Master-of-Nets Garden was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997.
In the Southern Song Dynasty Shi Zhengzhi built the Hall of 10,000 Volumes here with an adjacent garden called “The Fisherman’s Retreat”. In the reign of Qianlong under the Qing Dynasty, the Song’s redesigned and rebuilt the landscape-residence, borrowed the meaning of the Fisherman’s Retreat and named it the Master-of-Nets Garden. It still keeps the traditional appearances of the time-tested and well-known residence in Suzhou, featuring the landscape garden in combination with the living quarters. The impressive landscape garden is situated in the middle of the property. The awe-inspiring housing complex lies to the east of the garden. At the west corner is a graceful courtyard in front of the Peony Studio belonging to the renowned landscape painter Zhang Daqian in days of old. The Astor Court and the Ming Room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA, were modeled after the courtyard and the studio in the early 1980s.
Address: No.11, Kuo Jiatou Lane, Suzhou
Contact:
Postcode: 215006
Tel: 0512-65293190
Ticket Price:
RMB40 in busy season (April, May, July, August, September and October)
RMB30 in off season ( January, February, March, June, November and December)
RMB100 for Evening Performances at the Master-of-Nets Garden ( Mid-March to Mid-November, the specific opening time is subject to the notice of the management office )
Opening hours: 7:30~17:30 ( April 21 to October 20 ); 7:30~17:00 ( October 21 to April 20 in next year )
Transportation:
A. Buses: Passengers can take buses No.47, 204, 501, 529 to the Master-of-Nets Garden
B. Light Railway: Passengers can take Line 1 to Lindun Road Station, Exit 1, then turn right and walk 10 meters to Shuangta Station to take buses 202, 55, 529 or 811 to the Master-of-Nets Garden
C. Light Railway: Passengers can take Line 4 to Sanyuan Fang Station, Exit 1, and walk 1 km to the east or take buses 47, 9011, tourist route 2 or 309 or 931 to the Master-of-Nets Garden
D. Light Railway: Passengers can take Line 5 to Nanyuan North Station, Exit 3, then walk 700m to the north.
Notice: In order to create a harmonious and beautiful scenic spot with safety and order, we work out this tourist guide according to Suzhou Regulations on the Management of Landscape and Famous Scene, Suzhou Regulations on Protection and Management of Gardens and other relevant laws and regulations.
1. Tourists must conscientiously abide by the laws of the State and the regulations and rules of the province and the city, maintain public order and observe common courtesy.
2. Please purchase a ticket or show your valid identification; Please get into the garden after ticket-checking in the entrance.
3.Please protect the resources in the area. The following behaviors are forbidden: pulling down, breaking off the flowers or trees; picking the fruits; climbing or crossing the rookery and guardrails; trampling on the lawn; doodling on the trees or the bamboos.
4. Smoking and naked flame(except for some special place or activities) are not allowed in the scenic area; Please do not take equipment like barbecue furnaces into the garden.
5. Lethal weapon, flammable, radioactive and other hazardous items are not allowed to carry into the garden according to Regulations on Administrative Penalties for Public Security; The following behaviors are forbidden: making a lot of noise; fights; picking a quarrel and making trouble; entering of exotic vehicles;
6.The following behaviors are forbidden: setting up stands without permission; engaging in business activities or selling wares to tourists; tour-guiding without permission.
7.Please dress neatly and keep to the timetable of the garden; The following behaviors are forbidden: taking pets into the garden; swimming or fishing in the garden(except for some special activities)
8.“the Annual Card for Suzhou Gardens ” is only available to the owner himself in the daytime, it is not transferable or redeemable; Those who lend the card to other people will lost the certification to buy the Annual card.
9.Any kind of tour activities regarding films, TV programs and advertisements should not be carried out without permission.