Foot binding (or lotus feet) is the custom of applying tight binding to the feet of young girls to prevent further growth of the feet. The practice possibly originated among upper-class court dancers during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-979) but spread in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and eventually became common among all but the lowest of classes.

Such practice became popular as a mean of displaying status (women from wealthy families, with no economical reason to work could afford to have their feet bound) and was accepted as a symbol of beauty in the country’s culture.

In addition to the everyday shoes, the museum also displays special-occasion shoes, which women with bound feet were to wear at wedding ceremonies, birthday parties and funerals as well as rain boots and high-top boots.

The museum is part of the Jianchuan Museum Cluster which covers an area of about 330 square kilometers, featuring a structure area of about 100 000 square meters, and boasting a collection of more than 8 million relics. The entire site contains more than 30 museums (18 of which are already completed and opened) and three specifically themed areas.

For more information about the Museum please visit their website.