The Garden of the Master of the Nets is the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet it is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. Even more than the architectural achievement is the mood of tranquility and harmony that this humble garden embodies.
The garden has an area of 0.6 hectare. The eastern part consists of residential quarters, while the gardens are located in the western part. The residential area consists of: the entrance hall, the sedan-chair hall, the major hall (also called the Hall of Ten Thousand Volumes), a two story Hall of Captured Grace and a back yard. In the garden of the western part there is a limped central pond surrounded by pavilions and towers adorned with sturdy rocks, trees, and flowering shrubs. These represent sceneries from several seasons. In the west most part is a court with the Peony Cottage study rooms offering exquisite views, which have been used to model the “Ming Hall” in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This Ming Hall is used in creating an area of display for Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artifacts.
The Master of the Nets garden was first constructed in 1140 AD by the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279) government official Shi Zhengzhi. Then named the Fisherman’s Retreat (Yuyin), it was inspired by the simple and solitary life of a Chinese fisherman. Over the years, the Master of the Nets garden continued to be updated numerous times as ownership changed, but the name, spirit, and splendor remained constant. During the late 18th century it was recognized for its herbaceous peonies and finally it became public property in 1958.
The Master of the Nets Garden is considered the most "balanced" in terms of its use of water, rocks, plants, and timber.