Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum at Wuzhen Xizha

Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum at Wuzhen Xizha

• Admire hundreds of exquisitely crafted bound feet shoes and learn about the history of foot binding among women in old China.

Attraction introduction

The Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum is located within the Xizha scenic area and is one of the few exhibitions themed around the history of foot binding. Here, you can see hundreds of bound feet shoes from different periods and regions across China, as well as numerous photos and tools used in the practice, accompanied by detailed text descriptions that tell the story of how Chinese women once pursued beauty. One theory about the origin of the term “golden lotus” comes from the legend of Lady Pan, the concubine of Emperor Xiao Baojuan of the Southern Qi Dynasty, whose feet were said to leave lotus flowers with every step. Later enthusiasts further categorized beauty and social status based on foot size: those under three inches were called golden lotuses, those under four inches were silver lotuses, and those over four inches were iron lotuses. Thus, “golden lotus” became synonymous with bound feet. Over time, the term also came to refer generally to bound feet shoes. Visitors to the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum may marvel at the intricate embroidery on these shoes, but more often, they reflect with a sense of sorrow on that peculiar and painful chapter of foot binding history. Comparing the past with today’s ideals of gender equality, and looking back at those striking images, you may gain a deeper understanding of the joys and sorrows of Chinese women throughout history.

Address: Within the Xizha Scenic Area, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing

Type: Museum / Exhibition Hall

Recommended visiting time: 20–30 minutes

Phone: 0573-88731088

Opening hours:

Summer: 8:00–17:30; Winter: 8:00–17:00

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included with the Xizha scenic area admission; valid with the general Xizha ticket.