Garden of the Master of the Nets (Wangshi Yuan), built in 1174 A.D. during the Song Dynasty, is characteristic of the most exquisite garden-houses in Suzhou. The western court of the garden with the peony cottage is the original model from which the Ming Hall in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City was copied in 1981 and the Pompidou Center in Paris in 1982.

The plan for the garden was conceived in the 12th century, but work on the garden was later abandoned. Finally, in the 18th century, Wangshi Yuan was restored as part of the residence of a retired official. Rumor has it that it was named Wangshi (Master of the Nets) because the retired official was heard one day to proclaim that he had had it with bureaucracy and wanted to be a fisherman instead. What is so remarkable about Wangshi Yuan is that, despite its size and the big buildings that dot it, nothing appears cramped.

The garden is divided into three sections. The eastern section was originally the residential area. The central part is the garden, where you will find many rare plants. The western section is an inner garden where the master's study can be found. You can still see the Ming-style furniture and palace lanterns here.