The Master-of-the-Nets Garden, or Wang Shi Yuan is located in southeastern area of Suzhou's old city. It is among the finest gardens in China. This exquisite garden was first built during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) in Suzhou as part of a residence. But was later abandoned. It was "rediscovered" in the 18th century by a retired official who restored the gardens. Like many Confucian scholar-officials, he preferred the peace of nature to the wrangling of Court life. He is said to have remarked that he would rather be a fisherman than a bureaucrat. This is the origin of the garden's name.

Like the Humble Administrator's Garden, this garden is divided into three parts: an eastern section, or residential area; a central section, or main garden; and a western section, or the inner garden. This garden is, however, one of the smallest in Suzhou. It is only 1/10 of the size of the Humble Administrator's Garden.

Although it's small, it is the oldest best-preserved Suzhou style garden and a world heritage site. Its inner garden has been copied as the Ming Hall Garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.