My husband went there years ago and raved about how lovely it was so we went about six weeks ago. The place was jam packed, you could hardly move. We found later it is being used to film a new drama and there is some sort of reality TV show around choosing the actors. This has drawn hordes of local people, including the bus groups with matching baseball caps, who want to see where the series was filmed. It has been restored but was so crowded we gave up and went home as you couldn't appreciate it. Maybe I will try again in a few months time.

go at a non-peak time. As silly as this suggestion sounds, try a rainy weekday.

The gardens inside are quite nice.

skip the rip-off tea demonstration at the end

I didn't like it.. even my friend said it's not worth going to. Go to Suzhou if you want to see the gardens.