Located on Shiquan Street in Suzhou city with a total area of 0.54 hectares (5400 sqm), is the smallest garden in Suzhou - half the size of Canglang Pavilion and one-tenth the size of Humble Administrator's Garden.
The plan for the garden was conceived in the 12th century as part of a residence, but work on the garden was later abandoned. Finally, in the 18th century, Garden of the Master of the Nets was restored as part of the residence of a retired official from whom the garden gets its name. It is said that in a moment of frustration with bureaucracy he declared that he would rather be a fisherman than a bureaucrat.
Being the most exquisite and the best-preserved garden in all old residential gardens in Suzhou, the garden is divided into three sections: the central main garden, a residential section and an inner garden.
The central main garden, occupying about four fifth of the total area of the garden, it has a large pond in the center 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. The pond covering an area of about 440 sqm, has a tiny arch bridge named Yinjing Bridge leading to a small pavilion in it. The bridge is the smallest arch bridge in this garden less than one foot wide.
The residential section is in the eastern part - originally with side rooms for sedan-chair lackeys, guest reception and living quarters. Constructed in accordance with the strict regulations of feudalism, they are magnificent buildings with extraordinary furnishing and interior decoration. The various buildings can always access the central main garden from any room.
Garden of the Master of the Nets 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.
