The city of Suzhou is famed for its stunning landscaped gardens that grace a large part of Chinese culture, and one of the most acclaimed is the Master of Nets Garden, with an intriguing tale behind the name. But before you embark on your city explorations, check into some quality Suzhou accommodation which is what you will discover at the Citadines Xinghai Suzhou. Featuring elegant interiors and attentive hospitality, you will find some of the finest serviced Suzhou apartments here. To enhance your stay at this iconic East Asian city, visit the Master of the Net Garden for a stunning glimpse into Chinese creativity and ingenuity that expertly blends elements of nature and construction to create a singular visual and experiential paradise. The garden found its genesis in 1140 under the name of the Ten Thousand Volume Hall, the brainchild of the deputy civil service minister who served the Song Dynasty, Shi Zhengzhi, who was inspired to recreate the surrounds of a simple life of a lone fisherman character from Chinese philosophical writings. Upon the minister’s death, the garden changed hands several times until acquired by Song Zongyuan, who made a few drastic adjustments yet retained the foundational spirit of the site, and renamed it as well, to reflect its original intention. The garden has been lauded by several luminaries of Chinese intellectual thought as one of the best representations Chinese garden artistry. It is home to elegant courtyards, trees that date back several centuries as well as charming water and decorative features designed to soothe the mind and please the eye. Ideal for a leisurely afternoon or morning stroll, the Master of the Nets garden must form part of your cultural itinerary in Suzhou.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.