If you're looking for a pair of comfortable shoes, you may want to consider a shop where the grass is always greener. At Zhengyun Teahouse, decades-old grass shoes of various styles, simple or delicate, large or small, are piled up in large numbers. The shop is located on Gulou Dajie, and has several pairs of homemade embroided shoes showcased behind a French window. No particular tools were needed to craft these slippers. Craftsmen use their bare hands to turn straw and grass into clothing. In this sense, straw and grass are gifts of nature that make life more comfortable, says the store's owner Yao Zhengyun. Yao, a native of Yunnan province, brought his family's tribal-made grass shoes to a friend in Beijing two years ago. His friend thought the grass shoes were so comfortable he suggested Yao start his own business selling them. The idea soon became a reality as Yao quickly mobilized his relatives in Yunnan. One pair costs 98 yuan and can last up to at least three summers. Typical Yunnan handicrafts have also been gradually introduced at Yao's store. Upon request, Yao is also happy to treat visitors to a cup of puer tea and show them a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
(China Daily 06/28/2008 page6)
