(That's Beijing)
Updated: 2008-02-09 10:27

Too many sequins, too much lace, too much tat – one could go on and on about the poverty of quality shoes on sale here. However, one of the more common gripes among Beijing's laowai ladies is the lack of footwear in anything above size 38. Some expats have even been so frustrated that they've resolved to forgo the shoe shops here completely, saving all footwear-purchasing for trips back to their respective countries. All that air travel, though, means racking up a hell of a carbon footprint – which is not the kind of mark that a conscientious shoe enthusiast wants to leave. It's also wholly unnecessary.

Little-known shoe store Shua Da Pai should be the first port of call, rather than the airport. The range of shoes in stock – from size 35 to 41 – is impressive indeed. What's even more enticing is the styles on offer. Sober, office-friendly models are available, but the real excitement comes from kookier brands such as the British label Irregular Choice. The vast array of unique styles is exciting stuff indeed. The fact that they're available in such a wide range of sizes is the icing on the cake.

There are drawbacks, of course. Availability is limited to what's out on the shelves (although the helpful assistants do point out that their Jianwai Soho and Dongzhimen branches might have them in alternative sizes), and those accustomed to scrapping at Yashow might lament the no-bargaining policy. Even so, Shua Da Pai's friendly, helpful assistants are knowledgeable but not pushy about the products they sell, and little touches like the careful way shoes are wrapped (and even boxed up! gasp!) differentiates this store from those who peddle plastic wares down Xidan way.

As a result, you're unlikely to pick up flats for RMB 40. Shoes start from RMB 200 per pair, and prices can rise to around RMB 2,000 depending on make and model. Most pairs do hover around the RMB 300-400 mark, which some may balk at, but realistically, it's a lot cheaper than a return airfare. Halla Mohieddeen

Shua Da Pai

Address: B1/F, Sunshine 100, 2 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-9.30pm
Tel: 010-6592-6726