"The Humble Administrator's Garden was originally built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was initially a private garden of a former government servant named Wang Xianchen.  It was said that Wang was frustrated in his official career, so he intended to build a garden after retire and just do some gardening work like planting trees and cultivating vegetables there. He thought that was a simple life led by a humble man like him, hence the name of the garden. The garden was created upon the old relics of a residence and a Taoist temple."  Source: Travel China Guide.