#Master of the Nets Garden Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Master of the Nets Garden Tourism
The Master of the Nets Garden is not large, one to two hours is enough, there are fewer people than in the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, making it more comfortable to stroll around.
It is a typical Suzhou garden, less than one-sixth the size of the Humble Administrator's Garden, but through clever layout, the bridges, water, pavilions, and towers do not seem cramped, and it serves as a model of 'less is more.' In addition to understanding the layout's ingenuity, another unique feature here is enjoying the folk art performances at night when the Night Garden is open annually.
The Master of the Nets Garden was originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty's Chunxi period, and most of the scenery in the garden today is the result of restorations and expansions during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong era. In the center of the garden is a large pond - Cai Xia Pond, with all the buildings arranged in a circle around the pond.
There are two gates to the garden, the north gate and the southeast gate. The north gate is the back gate, and the southeast gate is the main gate. It is recommended to enter from the southeast gate and tour around the pond counterclockwise to see all the buildings in the garden.
In spring, admire the flowers; in summer, listen to the cicadas; in autumn, smell the fragrance of osmanthus; in winter, watch the snow covering the pines and cypresses. The scenery throughout the four seasons is like a series of paintings. (The alley in front of the southeast entrance to the Master of the Nets Garden is where the fragrant yellowwood attracts many people to take photos and check in, but the blooming period should be over now, and early April should be the most beautiful~)
Near the Master of the Nets Garden, you can also visit the Canglang Pavilion.
Nearby, there are many Suzhou local dishes to taste (squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, eel paste with scallion oil, shrimp with biluo green tea, etc.), as well as many craft shops, silk embroidery, and more.
It's not far from the Nanyuan Beilu Station of Metro Line 5.
Barton McDermott
Finally captured the top trending Yulan magnolias in Suzhou's Erqiao
Jiangnan has nothing much, hence I present you a branch of spring~
A small garden filled with the entirety of spring!
Wangshi Garden is known for its beauty in a small package,
no need to walk much, but every step reveals a scene, fully showcasing the Suzhou-style framing aesthetics!
Today, I captured the top trending purple Yulan magnolias in Wangshi Garden,
viewed from the Ladder Cloud Room, it is a completely beautiful framed view!
The beautiful scenery through the hollowed-out wooden carved windows, where the branches of Erqiao Yulan extend,
and the unevenly distributed Taihu rocks form a natural scroll~
Under the sunlight, it looks exceptionally bright!
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📍Wangshi Garden
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🌸Erqiao Yulan blooming period: The peak blooming period is in the middle and late March
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♾️ 'Suggested Tour Route within the Garden'
Main Gate► Sedan Hall► Wanjuan Hall► Xie Xiu Building► Ladder Cloud Room► Wufeng Study► Kan Song Reading Pavilion► Dianchun Yi► Moon and Wind Pavilion► Daohe Hall► Luhua Pavilion► Xiaoshan Conggui Pavilion► Entrance Exit
(Currently, the Shiquan Street exit is closed, and you can only exit from the entrance)
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🌸Flower Viewing Locations
✔️Ladder Cloud Room: Erqiao Yulan
✔️Behind Wufeng Study: Erqiao Yulan
✔️In front of Kan Song Reading Pavilion: Papaya Begonia
✔️Beside Daohe Hall: White Yulan
✔️Luhua Pavilion: Purple Yulan
There are also some other top trending flower viewing spots in the garden waiting for the flowers to bloom, such as weeping begonias, wisteria waterfalls, etc.~
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📌Little tips: If you want to take pictures of the Yulan magnolias in the Ladder Cloud Room, try to go as early as possible, there are already more than 100 people around 8 o'clock in the morning😂, and the flowers fall quickly~
Gabriel Smith
Lesser-known attractions of Suzhou Gardens
The Master of the Nets Garden is a typical private garden, small and exquisite, and is a garden with artistic characteristics and cultural value among the Suzhou Gardens.
The Master of the Nets Garden, although it has changed owners several times, the owners were mostly literati and scholars, and each left behind inscriptions and steles in the garden. After repairs and arrangements, it finally became a masterpiece among classical gardens. The Master of the Nets Garden was originally the site of the 'Ten Thousand Scrolls Hall' built by Shi Zhengzhi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel during the Southern Song Dynasty's Chunxi period. There used to be a garden in front of the hall, named 'Fisherman's Hideaway'. Later, the garden was owned by the Ding family and fell into disrepair. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Song Zongyuan, the Minor Prefect of the Imperial Household Department, retired to Suzhou and built a residence on the old site of the Ten Thousand Scrolls Hall, calling himself the Master of the Nets, which also resonated with the old meaning of 'Fisherman's Hideaway' by Shi Zhengzhi and harmonized with the sound of Wangsi Lane where it was located, hence the name 'Master of the Nets Garden'. Shen Deqian wrote 'Illustrated Record of the Master of the Nets Garden'.
⛰【Travel Guide】
📍Detailed address: No. 11 Kuojia Tou Lane, Daichengqiao Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
🚗Transportation strategy:
Rail transit:
Rail Transit Line 5: Nanyuan North Road Station
Bus:
Master of the Nets Garden Station: Routes 202, 529, 931, 9003, 9006, 9011
Master of the Nets Garden North Station: Route 47 Branch B, 501, 511, 9010, 9808
Master of the Nets Garden West Station: Routes 501, 529, 9003 Peak Time Branch, 9010
Weaving Bridge Station: Route 9808
🕙Opening hours: April 21st - October 20th 07:30-17:30 (Ticket sales stop at 17:00, last entry at 17:00); October 21st - the following year April 20th 07:30-17:00 (Ticket sales stop at 16:30, last entry at 16:30)
💰Ticket price: Peak season from April to May, July to October 40 yuan/person
Off-season from January to March, June, November to December 30 yuan/person
Night tour from mid-March to mid-November 100 yuan/person
🌟Highlights:
1. The whole garden layout is compact, the architecture is exquisite, and the spatial scale is proportionate. With its delicate garden layout, profound cultural connotations, and elegant garden atmosphere, it has become a representative work of medium and small classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River.
2. There are three small pavilions on the north side, named 'Dianchunyi'. To the north of the pavilion, lake rocks are slightly placed, accompanied by plum, bamboo, and banana trees to form a small bamboo and rock scene.
3. On the south wall of the Qin Room courtyard is the imposing embedded wall mountain, which is said to be the work of the famous Qing Dynasty rockery master Ge Yuliang. The room is a semi-pavilion in the Xieshan style, facing the green peaks. Burning a stick of incense and playing a tune of 'High Mountain and Running Water' is indeed a fine place for playing the qin.
elara_3346
Where to Go in Suzhou - Master of the Nets Garden AAAA
📍Address: No. 11 Kuojiatou Alley, Daichengqiao Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City
🚇Transportation: Exit 4 of Nanyuan North Road Station on Metro Line 5 → Walk 600 meters
⏰Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30 (No entry after 17:00)
🎫Ticket: 💰40/person, half price for students, free for annual garden pass holders
🎐Master of the Nets Garden at Night: 💰100/person (Annual garden pass not applicable)
✅The Master of the Nets Garden was originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty, initially named 'Fisherman's Retreat'. It was renamed to 'Master of the Nets Garden' in the early Qing Dynasty and is known for its exquisite and elegant design, maintaining the connected residence and garden style of Suzhou's old family estates. The garden is centered around a pond, with pavilions, terraces, and courtyards arranged around it, along with rocks and plants⛰️, forming a clear and open main view of the garden.
✅The garden is well-organized with a clear hierarchy, rich in variation, with gardens within gardens, and scenes beyond scenes. Despite the numerous buildings, it does not feel crowded, and although the mountain and pond are small, they do not feel cramped. It is known as the 'ultimate example of a small garden' in Suzhou gardens🎨, and is considered a model of Chinese gardens where less is more.
1⃣️Wanjiantang: In the center of the hall hangs the plaque 'Wanjiantang', with couplets by Zhang Xinka on both sides 'Purple air moistens the night rain over a thousand mountains, iron armor brings to life the thunder of ten thousand ravines.' Inside the hall, there is also a Zhuge bronze drum🥁, said to be made by Zhuge Liang.
2⃣️Yinjing Bridge: This is said to be the smallest stone arch bridge in Suzhou, and also in the whole country. The bridge is 2.45 meters long and 0.92 meters wide. Visitors can cross it in three steps, hence it is also called the Three-Step Bridge👣. The Caixia Pond is not large, but the small bridge makes the water surface appear wider, enhancing the sense of space in the garden.
3⃣️Shooting Ducks Corridor: Before noble young ladies of ancient times were married, they were not allowed to show their faces freely. To pass the time, they would raise waterfowl🦆 in the garden pond and catch them with vine rings, adding a bit of fun to life. The name 'Shooting Ducks Corridor' comes from this activity.
4⃣️Zhuwai Yizhi Xuan: Originally a place for the garden owner's children to study and write, it is named after the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi's verse 'A thousand trees with red blossoms almost hide the spring light, 🎋a single branch outside the bamboo is even more lovely.'
5⃣️Moon and Wind Pavilion: This hexagonal pavilion is surrounded by water on three sides, inspired by the Song Dynasty poet Shao Yong's verse 'The moon reaches the heart of the sky, the wind comes upon the water's surface.' Inside the pavilion, there is a large mirror🪞, reflecting the beautiful scenery, creating a sense of being in a painting, making it a must-visit photo📸 spot.
AMBROSE SOTO
Suzhou Travel | Suzhou's top attraction returns, the wisteria of the Master of the Nets Garden
April's spring is in full bloom
It's the perfect time to visit the south of the Yangtze River
The top wisteria flowers of Suzhou's Master of the Nets Garden
are quietly blooming
Unlike the common wisteria
The waterfall-like wisteria here
blends seamlessly with the rockeries and architecture of Suzhou's gardens
It's an unadorned artistic conception
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The Master of the Nets Garden has 2 spots of wisteria
One is by the Cai Xia Pond's Huangshi rockery
The other is on the south side of the main hall of Dian Chun Yi
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Currently, all the flowers are in full bloom, if you have the chance, hurry up and visit
You need to get up early, otherwise, you won't be able to capture the empty scenery, and you won't get a good spot for your camera
Address: No. 11 Kuo Jia Tou Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Master of the Nets Garden
Subway: Exit 4 Northwest of Nanyuan North Road Station on Line 5, about a 9-minute walk, approximately 600 meters
Bus: You can take a direct bus to Master of the Nets Garden Station or Master of the Nets Garden North, and walk about 100 meters from there
Ticket: 30 RMB, half price for the elderly and children (free with a garden card, reservation required)
Business hours: 7:30-17:00
GraceButler^29
The Huangmuxiang Waterfall near the Master of the Nets Garden
Just a few dozen meters east of the main entrance of the Master of the Nets Garden, at the doorway of 'No. 5 Kuojiatou Lane', there is a large cluster of Huangmuxiang. When the fragrant flowers dangle, they resemble a yellow floral waterfall, and recently it is the best time for them to bloom. It is well worth a visit whether you are going to the Master of the Nets Garden or just passing by Shiquan Street by chance.
Address: No. 5 Kuojiatou Lane, Gusu District. (Close to Shiquan Street)
CuriosityCircuit
The Master-of-Nets Garden in March is a myriad of spring and bright scenery that has moved me to tears
Hi, I'm Yuanyuan
Sharing the beauty of my journey with everyone🍃
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The Suzhou in March is a myriad of spring and bright scenery
Magnolia blossoms bloom, spring is everywhere you look🌸
Don't go to the crowded Humble Administrator's Garden, the magnolia in the Master-of-Nets Garden is also beautiful~
The blossoms are like jade, elegant and noble, charming and touching
'A window, a flower, a world'
This is the right way to embrace spring!
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📍Location: Master-of-Nets Garden, Suzhou
📸Date: 2024.3.17
🎟Ticket: 30 yuan
VesperLyricana456+
The wisteria waterfall in Wangshi Garden is in full bloom!
I went there on April 5th, during the Qingming holiday period, and there really were a lot of people.
The garden is not very large and can be quickly toured, but it's really great for taking photos.
Frame by frame, it embodies the aesthetics of Chinese style.
Unfortunately, it turned cloudy at dusk that day and the sun disappeared.
I didn't capture the scene of shimmering golden light, I can't imagine how beautiful that must be!
I'll have another chance to visit again in the future.
I can't help but exclaim once more at the aesthetic discernment of our ancestors! It's absolutely amazing.
The Wandering Gourmand
The dazzling pearl of Jiangnan gardens, a treasure of history and culture
Master of the Nets Garden, a Jiangnan garden with profound historical heritage, is acclaimed as the 'Mother of Chinese Gardens'. It boasts not only exquisite architecture, winding paths, and clear waters but also tranquility and harmony that make visitors linger. Strolling in the Master of the Nets Garden is like being in a paradise, which is refreshing and pleasing to the soul. Whether it is to appreciate the charm of ancient architecture or to experience the style of Jiangnan water towns, the Master of the Nets Garden is a place not to be missed. Here, let your soul undergo a thorough relaxation and purification, and feel the unique charm of Jiangnan. Master of the Nets Garden, looking forward to sharing with you a feast of history and culture.
Buck Walsh
At sunset, the light dances like gold in the Master of the Nets Garden
Suzhou-style light and shadow aesthetics are simply divine.
You can always trust in Suzhou-style light and shadow aesthetics.
At sunset, the light dances like gold in the Master of the Nets Garden.
Every casual snapshot is a real-life scene of the Jiangnan landscape.
Aurora Johnson
Spring Outing Season | Only when you see the magnolia flowers with your own eyes do you realize how beautiful they are!
Finally, I have appreciated the charm of Chinese garden framing aesthetics. Here are the blooming conditions of the magnolia flowers in the Master of the Nets Garden and recommendations for photography spots:
The white magnolias at the entrance can be photographed through the window view, which looks very nice, and they are gradually falling.
The Luohua Pavilion is under renovation, and next to it, a large white magnolia is gradually withering.
There is a purplish magnolia on the rockery with only a few flowers; it is recommended to take a top-down shot with the lake as the background!
The two Qiao magnolias in front of the Baoyun Ladder are blooming just right, and although there are many people, you can still find angles to shoot, with window views, close-ups, and if the weather is good, the blue sky makes a great background!
SophiaCunningham17
The Master of the Nets Garden in spring
The ancient Jiangnan garden is even more charming against the backdrop of the bright spring light. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the spring, step outdoors and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature!
Robbie Schmidt
Encounter the romantic charm of the top-stream Yulan magnolia flowers at Suzhou's Master of the Nets Garden
The Master of the Nets Garden is one of Suzhou's World Heritage gardens, featuring several magnolia trees that form various landscapes with white walls, carved windows, courtyards, and ponds, making it suitable for both scenery and portrait photography. Here is a guide to enjoying the magnolia flowers at the Master of the Nets Garden in spring!
⌚Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30, no entry after 17:00
🎫Ticket Price: 30 RMB/person
🚙Transportation Guide
🚇Subway: Line 5 to Nanyuan Beilu, Line 4 to Sanyuanfang
🅿️Parking: Master of the Nets Garden parking lot, 6 RMB/hour
🌟Best Time: The best time to visit is in mid to late March when the magnolia flowers are in full bloom and most enchanting.
📍Magnolia Locations
1️⃣The one at Luhua Pavilion is a highlight and the most crowded spot.
2️⃣The pink magnolia behind the Wufeng Study.
2️⃣After entering the garden, go straight to the right and you'll see it.
3️⃣At the garden's exit.
🌟Recommended Views
1️⃣Luhua Pavilion: In a small garden, white magnolias bloom splendidly, with rockeries and windows adding to the Chinese ambiance.
2️⃣Tiyun Room: This magnolia is like a fine brush painting, whether viewed through the beautiful flower windows from inside or against the grey walls in the small garden, it's impressive.
3️⃣Yunku: Less popular and less crowded, turn around from the restroom, and in the courtyard, two magnolias perfectly frame with the red second-floor windows, offering a different style and flavor.
✅Tour Route
Follow a clockwise route - from the entrance - Daohe Hall - Luhua Pavilion - Dianchunyi - Kansong Du Hua Xuan - Wufeng Study - Tiyun Room - Wanjuan Hall - exit from the entrance
📷Photography Tips
✅Use the pavilions, rockeries, and ponds in the garden to add depth to your photos.
✅Choose early morning or evening when the light is soft, to better capture the delicate beauty of the magnolia flowers.
✅Try different angles, such as looking up or down, to capture unique perspectives.
🎀Dress Suggestions
Light-colored clothes match the fresh tones of the magnolia flowers, creating an elegant atmosphere.
📣Important Notes
✅Magnolia season is short: If the weather is warm, the peak bloom lasts only 4-5 days. If you miss it, the flowers will have faded or fallen. Fallen magnolia petals wilt and are not as attractive.
✅Crowds: Especially on nice days, if you head to the Master of the Nets Garden to see the magnolias around 10-11 am, it's likely to be very crowded.
Penelope.Ward.25
Wangshi Garden in Spring - Magnolia
Wangshi Garden is really a feast for the eyes, isn't it?
Hey, buddies! The most beautiful garden in Suzhou during spring must be Wangshi Garden! The spring here is so breathtakingly beautiful that it leaves you speechless! Upon entering the garden, head towards the teahouse and you will be attracted by a huge magnolia tree. This tree sways in the spring breeze, its blossoms covering the branches like clouds and brocade, truly brimming with the essence of spring! The floral windows and pink blossoms are simply stunningly messy~
Wangshi Garden is a typical Suzhou garden, with its exquisite architecture, winding paths, and rustic artificial mountains and water features, all of which showcase the gentle beauty of the Jiangnan region. Sipping tea under the flowering trees or strolling through the garden can be incredibly refreshing and uplifting.
Now is the season when the magnolia flowers are in full bloom, and you can bring your camera to capture these beautiful moments. Remember, beauty is meant to be shared! Further into the garden, the sunlight casts shadows through the twin magnolia trees, their blossoms cascading down like a waterfall~
Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a traveler seeking beautiful scenery, or someone looking to relax, I highly recommend visiting Wangshi Garden in Suzhou. You definitely won't be disappointed by this spring's blooming season!
HATTIE FRANCIS
Who knows the value of these niche gardens
Viewing the blooming flowers through the Suzhou-style lattice windows, the seasons change
The aesthetics of the ancients have traveled through a thousand years to present themselves✨
When you come to Suzhou, you must not miss these legendary lattice windows🥹
▫️The 'Master of the Nets Garden' with its 'Magnolia liliiflora' lattice window
▫️The 'Couple's Retreat Garden' white magnolia lattice window
▫️The 'Master of the Nets Garden' wisteria lattice window
▫️The 'Ke Garden' plum blossom lattice window
▫️The 'Couple's Retreat Garden' 'Magnolia liliiflora' lattice window
▫️The 'Lion Grove Garden' wintersweet lattice window
▫️The 'Master of the Nets Garden' bignonia lattice window
▫️The 'Humble Administrator's Garden' bamboo lattice window
▫️The 'Master of the Nets Garden' bamboo lattice window
▫️The 'Lingering Garden' camellia lattice window with waterfall
▫️The 'Lion Grove Garden' white magnolia skylight
▫️The 'Hermit's Garden' wintersweet lattice window
▫️The 'Lingering Garden' bamboo lattice window
▫️The 'Huanxiu Villa' maple leaf framed view
▫️The 'Yi Garden' maple leaf archway
▫️The 'Tiger Hill' maple leaf archway
▫️The 'Humble Administrator's Garden' maple leaf framed view
GISELLE MCDONALD
Take a look, and you'll know what it means to be the top trending 'Er Qiao' magnolia
In the Suzhou Net Master Garden, the pace of spring is always particularly hurried, following closely behind the white magnolias, the 'Er Qiao' magnolia has become the new favorite of the garden. Here, it is not only a beautiful scene of a garden but also an excellent representation of the spring spirit in the Jiangnan area. With the blooming of the 'Er Qiao' magnolia, the Net Master Garden welcomes the busiest time of the year.
🌸 The blooming of 'Er Qiao' magnolia: In the Net Master Garden, the most eye-catching is undoubtedly the 'Er Qiao' magnolia behind the Ladder Cloud Chamber. During the blooming season, this place becomes a paradise for photography enthusiasts, each magnolia blossom is a messenger of spring, conveying the spring spirit of Jiangnan to every visitor.
💡 Flower Viewing Tips:
• Best viewing time: The 'Er Qiao' magnolia under the clear sky appears particularly delicate and beautiful, if you want to capture the most beautiful moments, it is recommended to choose a sunny day to visit.
• Precautions: Due to its high popularity, it is somewhat difficult to photograph the scenery without people. It is suggested that visitors travel at off-peak times, or choose to go in the early morning on weekdays to avoid the peak of the crowd.
🚩 Other Flower Viewing Spots: In addition to the 'Er Qiao' magnolia, there are many other spring flowers worth seeing in the Net Master Garden. The purple-leaf plum and weeping crabapple by the Colorful Clouds Pond are quietly blooming, waiting for visitors to explore.
In the springtime Net Master Garden, every step is a view, and every scene is worth lingering over. Here, you can feel the purest spring spirit of Jiangnan and experience the unique charm of a classical Chinese garden. Why not step into the Net Master Garden this spring, and let the beauty of the 'Er Qiao' magnolia fill your spring memories.
WanderlustAdventures$11
The magnolias in Suzhou gardens are in bloom, embodying the ultimate aesthetic deeply ingrained in the Chinese soul
The best time of the year is spring,
and the gardens are the perfect place to enjoy it.
Recently, the Suzhou gardens have been the main stage for magnolias,
and this year, apart from the Master of the Nets Garden, the Couple's Retreat Garden is the best,
with two magnolia trees standing in front of the hall, one on the left and one on the right, one white and one purple, like little jades standing in the courtyard, looking out through the flower windows
Thousands of flowers and buds, vaguely visible,
Everywhere is full of the spirit of spring, the blossoms on the trees are like jade butterflies dancing in the wind, lively and charming🦋
In the corner of the backyard, there is a smaller one,
the charming and ethereally beautiful Yulan magnolia
which, set against the pink walls and rockery, gives a strong sense of being in a period drama
The flowering period of magnolias is too short, blooming and fading in an instant
Friends who like magnolias should not miss the blooming season
zephyr_0921
The most beautiful view outside the window~ Magnolias are in full bloom
Each magnolia blooms so beautifully that it's beyond imagination.
However, each magnolia's beauty is a different kind of beauty.
Accumulating energy for a year, just for this tree's flourish of flowers.
Year after year,
All I can do is sit down and quietly enjoy a cup of tea.
Wyatt.Ward^67
The Master-of-Nets Garden in Dream of the Red Chamber | Magnolias are in full bloom, come and enjoy the flowers
The eight-acre Master-of-Nets Garden is a representative work of medium and small classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, originally known as Shi Zhengzhi's Wanjuan Hall. The colorful Xia Pond's water is tranquil, reflecting the pavilions and towers over the years.
The Master-of-Nets Garden is a typical residential garden, divided into eastern and western parts, with the western part being the garden centered around the colorful Xia Pond, surrounded by buildings constructed in harmony with the water.
To the west of the pond is the Wind-and-Moon Pavilion for enjoying the moon in the breeze, to the northeast bank is the simple and elegant Bamboo Branch Pavilion, and to the southwest end is the delicate and soft Washing Girdle Waterside Pavilion. The main building in the garden, the Pine-Reading and Painting Pavilion, is located northwest of the colorful Xia Pond.
🌸 Flower Viewing Guide:
The Master-of-Nets Garden in Suzhou is an excellent place to view magnolias, with its iconic white magnolias at the entrance of Wanjuan Hall.
The Erqiao magnolias on the north side of the Ladder Cloud Room are the garden's latest top attraction, blooming like the rosy clouds of dawn, and now is the peak of their bloom.
Along the path from the Ladder Cloud Room to the Wufeng Study, there are several Erqiao magnolias blooming in the blue sky and sunshine with charming pink and purple hues.
In front of the Luhua Pavilion in the southwest corner, the white magnolias there are also welcoming a grand floral event.
Two trees on the south side of the Cloud Cave are estimated to bloom until the end of March.
🕙 Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30
🎫 Admission Fee: 30 yuan
📍 Detailed Address: No. 11, Kuojia Tou Lane, Daichengqiao Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City
🚗 Travel Guide: Take Metro Line 4 to Nanyuan North Road Station, exit from Exit 4, and it is within walking distance
PRISCILLA OLSON
The Master of the Nets Garden | World Cultural Heritage
The Master of the Nets Garden occupies an area of 10 acres, making it the smallest of the Suzhou gardens, yet it is one of the four famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River and a World Cultural Heritage site.
When you walk into a small alley on Shi Quan Street, you would never expect the renowned Master of the Nets Garden to be hidden here. The name 'Master of the Nets' implies a fisherman or fisherman's intent, synonymous with 'fishing in seclusion,' suggesting a hermit-like existence away from the worldly life. It is said to be 'secluded deep within the bustling streets and quiet alleys, yet exquisitely tranquil.'
The Master of the Nets Garden has become a representative work of classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, with its landscape arrangement and scenic spot inscriptions imbued with a strong reclusive atmosphere. Chen Congzhou praised it as 'the ultimate in small Suzhou gardens, also a top choice among national gardens, exemplifying the paradigm of less is more.'
Small yet comprehensive, the layout is rigorous, with clear primary and secondary divisions and rich in variation. There are gardens within the garden, and scenes beyond the scenes, reaching the utmost in intricacy and seclusion. Although there are many buildings, they do not feel crowded; though the mountains and pools are small, they do not feel cramped. The Master of the Nets Garden is known for its ingenious layout, compact structure, and the harmonious proportion of architectural finesse and spatial scale.
Master of the Nets Garden:
📍No. 11 Kuo Jia Tou Lane, Dai Cheng Bridge Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City
⌚️7:30-17:30
🎫Day tour 40 Night tour 100
challenging.deeanna
The wisteria flower waterfall at Suzhou's Master of the Nets Garden is here~
Yesterday evening's wind and rain made me particularly afraid that the flowers had withered, but coming to see them this morning, I found they were still in full bloom, just like a waterfall, so beautiful
ExpeditionDreamer#555
The Master of the Nets Garden
The Master of the Nets Garden, located at No. 11, Kuojiatou Alley, Daichengqiao Road, southeast of Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, is a representative work of medium-sized classical landscape gardens in Suzhou. The Master of the Nets Garden was built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD), and was originally the site of the 'Wanjuan Hall' of Shi Zhengzhi, a book collector and official of the Song Dynasty from Yangzhou, and the garden was named 'Fishing Hideaway', which was later abandoned. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (around 1770 AD), Song Zongyuan, a retired Shaoqing of the Guanglu Temple, bought it and rebuilt it, and named the garden 'The Master of the Nets Garden'.
Prof. Lelah Ledner
Suzhou Master of the Nets Garden | Bamboo shadows sway, as if one strolls within a painting
A small garden achieves more with less - the Master of the Nets Garden, hidden in the alleys, was originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty's Chunxi period (1174-1189 AD) on the former site of the 'Ten Thousand Scrolls Hall', with the garden's name 'Fisherman's Retreat' signifying a withdrawal from the worldly life, which was the precursor to the Master of the Nets Garden.
After several changes of ownership, during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong era, Song Zongyuan, the Minor Prefect of the Imperial Board of Works, acquired the garden and renamed it 'Master of the Nets Garden'. At the center of the garden is a large pond - the Colorful Clouds Pond, around which all the buildings are constructed. To the east is the residential area, to the north is the study area, to the west is the inner garden area, and to the south is the entertainment area, with the southeast gate serving as the main entrance. A counterclockwise tour allows visitors to make a full circuit of the garden.
📍: Address: No. 11 Kuojiatou Alley, Daichengqiao Road, Gusu District, Suzhou Master of the Nets Garden
🚇: Line 5, exit 4 of Nanyuan Beilu Station, walking distance
🎫: 30 RMB per person
🕖Opening hours: Peak season 7:30-17:30, last entry at 17:00 (April 21 - October 20); Off-peak season 7:30-17:00, last entry at 16:30 (October 21 - April 20 of the following year)
🍜To the north of the Master of the Nets Garden is the famous Suzhou culinary craft street, Shi Quan Street, where you can taste Suzhou-style soup noodles, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, eel paste, shrimp with biluo leaves, and various street-side coffees
Special reminder: It is not recommended to drive! It's difficult to park in the alleys!
VagabondVibes
Suzhou | The Magnolia Season has successfully concluded with a one-day flower chasing itinerary
The spring magnolia flower chasing trip has come to a perfect end this year❗️
Due to the different blooming periods of each garden,
I basically ran for two weekends to complete the photo collection❗️
Especially on March 16th, taking advantage of the good weather,
I set out from the Master of the Nets Garden at ten o'clock and arrived at the Lion Grove Garden at four-thirty,
with most gardens being just a ten to twenty-minute walk apart.
It was a great half-day of intense walking without retracing any steps,
which was particularly refreshing.
If you're not keen on walking, you can also ride a public bicycle,
The itinerary and pictures are as follows:
Station 1: Master of the Nets Garden (p3-4)
Station 2: Jing Si Academy (p5)
Station 3: Twin Pagodas, Wu Zuoren Art Museum, and Twin Pagodas Market can be visited together (p6)
Station 4: A pink magnolia tree on Ganjiang East Road by the river (p7), encountered while walking from the Twin Pagodas towards Xiangmen
Station 5: Ou Garden (p8-10)
Station 6: Lion Grove Garden (p11-12)
Station 7: Qu Garden (p13) This garden is near Chayuan Chang and is a bit further away
The magnolia blooming season is brief, and this year the weather was cold and rainy,
most of the white magnolias are almost gone,
and the pink magnolias won't last much longer. This year's photography was very enjoyable,
looking forward to an even better bloom next year!
CharlotteFraser42
The copper sparrows herald the deep spring, locking away the beauty of the two Qiaos
🔥🌸In the Suzhou Magnolia Competition, who can rival the splendor? The answer is revealed: the Erqiao Magnolia at the Master of the Nets Garden! 🌸🏆
🌳This Erqiao Magnolia is truly the king of magnolias in Suzhou! 👑 Its crown is lush like a canopy, the flowers are full like cups, and the fragrance is as delicate as orchids. Looking up, the tree is covered with light pink blossoms, as if an angel has scattered a shower of petals, making the sky bright and enchanting. 💖🌤️
📸Whether it's photographed through the floral windows of the Ladder Cloud Room, or against the backdrop of white walls and blue sky, this magnolia is breathtakingly beautiful. It's like a group of jade butterflies dancing on the branches, lively and adorable, making one unable to resist taking a longer look. 🦋💃
🏞️Inside the Master of the Nets Garden, magnolias can be seen everywhere. In front of the Wanjuan Hall, the Luhua Pavilion, the Cloud Cavern, the Ladder Cloud Room, and beside the Yellow Rockery, their elegant figures are present. But now, the white magnolias in the garden are gradually withering, only this Erqiao Magnolia is still blooming vigorously. 🔥💐
📅The best time to view is in these next few days, so friends who want to enjoy the flowers should seize the last chance! But remember, come early to avoid the crowds and fully appreciate this beautiful magnolia. ⏰🌞
📍【Master of the Nets Garden】Address: No. 11 Kuojiatou Lane, Gusu District
🕘Opening hours: 7:30-17:00/17:30 (Ticket sales and admission stop 30 minutes before closing)
💰Ticket price: 30 yuan (January-March, June, November-December), 40 yuan (April-May, July-October)
Come to the Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou for a beautiful encounter with the Erqiao Magnolia! 🌸💕
GlamourousGazette
If you don't take a look at Wangshi Garden, how would you know what the top trending 'Er Qiao' magnolias are like?
🌸 As the Magnolia Awards come to an end, the 'Er Qiao' starts to come online, and in March, the 'Er Qiao' magnolias in Wangshi Garden are especially anticipated. Every day, they are surrounded by crowds so dense that it's impossible to get through, and their popularity is explosive.
Of course, only after seeing them for yourself, would you know they are truly beautiful. Especially the magnolias, they really suit the sunny weather, shining like stars✨, but the crowd can be overwhelming to the point of headache.
Don't ask me why there are no wide-angle views.
🌸 Current flower news from Wangshi Garden:
1️⃣ The 'Er Qiao' behind the Ladder Cloud Room is in full bloom.
2️⃣ Due to renovations, the purple magnolias near the Dew Flower Pavilion cannot be accessed for photos, only aerial shots can be taken, capturing them through high walls and windows.
3️⃣ A tall white magnolia tree north of the Qin Room is probably not going to last much longer.
4️⃣ The purple-leaf plums by the Cai Xia Pond are blooming nicely.
5️⃣ The weeping crabapple has started to bud.
KRISTOPHER GUTIERREZ
Framed Aesthetics in Gardens | Why is the Magnolia in Gardens a Top Trend?
The framed aesthetics in the gardens are truly taken to the extreme.
The carved framed views in the Ladder Cloud Room have reached a new level of beauty.
If you don't come to Suzhou,
If you don't visit the gardens,
How would you know the spring is so enchanting?
📍Address: Wangshi Garden
🎫Ticket: 30, free with a garden pass
🚇Subway: 400 meters walk from Nanyuan North Road on Subway Line 5
📷Photo Date: 2024.3.17
The Hungry Explorer s Kitchen
Dance with spring in the landscape residence
The flowers in the Master of the Nets Garden have bloomed, and the most beautiful are the magnolias, with their soft and delicate petals swaying in the wind, filling the air with a faint fragrance of flowers. Other varieties of flowers are also not to be outdone, competing in beauty and brilliance, adding layers of color to the garden, creating a beautiful and magnificent spring scroll.
In addition to appreciating the flowers, one can also enjoy the traditional cultural heritage contained in the architecture, calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain, savor the traces left by the years, feel the passage of time, and the sedimentation of history.
oliver.maximus.solomon
Right now! The magnolias in the Master of the Nets Garden are in full bloom!
The magnolias in the Master of the Nets Garden are in full bloom
The Master of the Nets Garden, originally called 'Fisherman's Retreat', was established in 1174. In 1765, it was officially named 'Master of the Nets Garden'. Located in the southeast corner of the old city of Suzhou, inside the Kuojiatou Alley of Fengmen, it is a typical private garden that combines a residence with a garden.
The garden is divided into three parts: the eastern part is the residence, the central part is the main garden, and the western part is the inner garden. The layout of the garden is compact, with a delicate structure and harmonious spatial proportions. It is deservedly known as a representative of the medium and small classical landscape residential gardens in the Jiangnan area and is a masterpiece of classical gardens.
The Master of the Nets Garden, this historically significant garden, was built during the Southern Song Dynasty and is a shining pearl among the many gardens of Suzhou. Known as the 'ultimate in small gardens', it demonstrates the beauty of making the most out of the least with its exquisite and ingenious design. Being in the Master of the Nets Garden is like traveling through time and space, back to the elegant Southern Song era. Every view is like a vivid painting, telling ancient stories. Walking along the winding paths, listening to the murmuring water, feeling the tranquility and harmony, one can't help but be intoxicated and linger on.
Address: No. 11 Kuojiatou Alley, Gusu District
Opening hours: Peak season 07:30-17:30 (ticket sales stop at 17:00); Off-peak season 07:30-17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30)
Ticket price: Peak season 40 yuan; Off-peak season 30 yuan
Transportation: Get off at Nanyuan North Road Station on Metro Line 5, exit from Exit 4, and walk about 600m
Tips: The best place to view magnolias in Suzhou's gardens is the Master of the Nets Garden. Its iconic white magnolias are located at the entrance of the Wanjiantang, and another spot is the 'Stairway to Clouds to Pick Flowers' where one can be immersed in their beauty.
WanderlustWhispers
Wangshi Garden welcomes the spring once again with its ancient trees
Wangshi Garden may not be listed among the four famous gardens of Suzhou, and it's not very large, but it has an international reputation. The garden was originally built as a private residence during the Southern Song Dynasty. It has been destroyed and restored several times, and the ownership has changed hands multiple times, mostly among scholars and literati. Many inscriptions and literary works have been preserved. Looking out from the Songdu Huaxuan pavilion, one can see a lone plum tree blossoming in the cold; an ancient and simple white pine tree over 100 years old; and an over 900-year-old cypress, whose main trunk is withered, but whose twisting branches reach into the sky and whose old roots sprawl across the ground, still exuding a sense of rugged beauty and seclusion. These ancient trees stand tall in the garden, having witnessed the vicissitudes of time, and have seen the full spectrum of the world's springtime beauty.