Qiang Shuping cuts the cloth into the shape of the sole, and then applies a layer of paste, puts a layer of cloth, and dries them in a cool, airy place. [Photo/IC]

It takes seven to eight hours to make one shoe, and the making of the shoe sole takes the largest amount of time. Some people buy cloth shoes out of nostalgia, while others trust their quality. Making shoes isn't a lucrative job, but Qiang still insists as she wants to preserve the craft and pass it down to the younger generation.

Handmade cloth shoes are also called qian ceng di (shoes with a thousand layers), which originated more than 3,000 years ago in the ancient Zhou Dynasty (1050-221 BC). In 2009, the making technique of qian ceng di was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, and the ancient craft is slated for greater preservation.