Yanjiao-Beijing: a journey of self-discovery

To build more houses in the community, the developer reduces the distance between buildings. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Building boom

In ancient times, Yanjiao was known for "sitting at the foot of the emperor," and the influence from the capital can still be felt today.

Before 2007, Yanjiao was a peaceful town mainly populated with local residents. Since then, the sky-high housing prices and purchase restrictions of Beijing had forced many young laborers such as Zhao out of the capital city into the neighboring small town.

With the influx of new residents came the explosive real estate market.

"Everything Beijing could not give you, we give you here in Yanjiao", "With a down payment of 10,000 yuan, you will have your own home" – traces of booming property business can be easily perceived in the town with billboards touting new property projects everywhere.

"This community was a patch of farmland when we settled in Yanjiao," said Zhao, pointing to a residential community near the Yanjiao railway station with new bullet train line to and from Beijing to help alleviate the traffic pressure.

Zhao and her husband bought an apartment in Yanjiao at 4,000 yuan ($645) per square meter in 2010, much lower than the then average 20,000 yuan per sq m in Beijing at the time.

The price of her apartment has nearly doubled over the last four years, and more new projects are under construction.