# Master of the Nets Garden (网师园)

Suzhou, Jiangsu Province · East China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/master-of-the-nets-garden
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** Peak season ¥40; off-season ¥30. Night Garden ticket ¥100 (Night Garden hours: mid-March to mid-November, 19:30–22:00)
- **Time needed:** 1–3 hours
- **Getting there:** Near Master of the Nets Garden (bus stop) and Beisi Pagoda (metro station)
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Architecture, Hiking & Outdoors, Photography

## About Master of the Nets Garden

Master of the Nets Garden is one of the Four Great Gardens of Suzhou and an outstanding example of Suzhou garden art and cultural value. It was first built in the early years of the Chunxi era (1174–1189) of the Southern Song dynasty. Its former owners were mostly scholars and literati, who left poems, inscriptions and stone tablets throughout the garden. Today these are treasured masterpieces within this classical garden.

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Enter in the morning: Be sure to arrive in the morning. When you leave, the sun will be in the southeast, and the garden scenery shifts with the play of light and shadow, which is truly wonderful.
- 2. Suzhou pingtan: Master of the Nets Garden is one of the few Suzhou gardens open in the evening, and free Suzhou pingtan (storytelling ballad) performances are offered.
- 3. Local shops: The garden is located on Shiquan Street, which has many students from abroad and lots of distinctive small shops. Browse them at leisure after your visit and you are sure to find something special.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1034. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.