As little as 50 years ago, reed flower shoes were popular among the poor families because they were most effective and cheapest way of keeping the feet warm. Due to the popularity of the shoes, many residents - like Shi - made reed flower shoes in their spare time. According to Shi, one pair of shoes would sell for 0.2 yuan to Nanfeng residents in the 1970s.

Shi started learning the craftsmanship from his elder brother when he was a child and has been interested it ever since. Now that Shi's skills are well honed, he can weave a pair from start to finish in one day.

After being dried, the reed flowers are twisted together into ropes by rubbing them together rapidly between palms. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With the vast improvement of living quality in China since the 1970s, few people still wear reed flower shoes. However, Shi still persists in making the shoes regularly with the hope of preserving and transmitting the intangible cultural heritage. These days it is not local residents buying the shoes out of necessity; it is tourists hoping to sample a pair of Shi's skillfully crafted shoes. Incredibly, the shoes now sell for around 150 yuan ($24.52).

Due to the shortage of market demand, the craftsmanship of reed flower shoes may be on the verge of vanishing, according to Shi. "Those who can make reed flower shoes are as old as me or older and I have no idea who can make such shoes after we pass away," Shi said.

The reed flower rope is then weaved into the straw sole in a circular fashion until the shoe is fully formed. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2010, the reed flower shoes debuted at the Shanghai Expo and attracted much attention from global visitors. The craftsmanship now has a chance of being listed as a municipal cultural heritage. Shi said that he hopes to pass down the technique from generation to generation and offers to share his knowledge to preserve the special heritage. "If anyone wants to learn the skill, I will teach him or her for free."