Suzhou — The Beauty Once You Get Past Deputy Fife

Master of the Nets Garden — Suzhou

After we successfully escaped the long arm of the law and got out from beneath the ominous shadows of Deputy Barney Fife and Officer Gomer Pyle we continued into the heart of the Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou.

Master of the Nets Garden pottery collection

Suzhou is located west of Shanghai along the banks of both the Yangtze River and Lake Tai. It’s also one of many cities through which the Grand Canal of China runs. But the pearl of Suzhou is the Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden — a magnificent 1.3-acre/5,400-meter complex of buildings, a pond, and associated gardens dating back to A.D. 1140.

Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden — Art Collection

And while the buildings, pond, and gardens are indeed fun, so are the extensive collections of art, pottery, and furniture dating to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden — Furniture Collection

Below is today’s photo gallery slide show of this unique example of a residential Chinese garden. If you get a chance to go there please say, “Hi,” for me to Deputy Fife and Officer Pyle.