May 17·3 min· PV

Night Tour of the Master of the Nets Garden, Suzhou

May 18th

The Master of the Nets Garden was originally founded in the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279 AD). The site was the “Ten Thousand Volumes Hall” of Shi Zhengzhi, a Yangzhou scholar-official who rose to the rank of Vice Minister, with the garden named “Fisherman’s Retreat” (渔隐). It fell into disrepair and was later rebuilt around 1770 during the Qing dynasty’s Qianlong era by the retired Vice Minister of the Court of Sacrificial Worship Song Zongyuan, who renamed it “Master of the Nets Garden” (网师园).

Night tour of the Master of the Nets Garden. After visiting the Lion Grove, I walked to the Nets Garden — less than an hour on foot. The entrance is tucked in a small alley, easy to miss. Entry was at 7 PM.

The evening weather was pleasant — cool when the breeze picked up. The entire program runs about 40 minutes.

Sedan Chair Hall (Jiaoting)

The first stop after entering is the Sedan Chair Hall, used for parking sedan chairs. The plaque reads “Qingneng Zaoda” — meaning “pure, capable, and achieving success early in life.”

Ten Thousand Volumes Hall (Wanjuan Tang)

The first performance: pingtan (Suzhou ballad) rendition of Spring River Flower Moon Night.

Wanjuan Tang — Spring River Flower Moon Night

Xiexiu Tower (Plucking Elegance Tower)

披林擷秀，揭厉良多，有摘取美好之意 — meaning “gathering elegance from the forest.” This was the rear hall of the residence, also called the women’s hall, primarily for the garden owner’s daily life and hosting guests.

A two-story building; the second floor is not open to visitors.