Zhuozhou 涿州

Chasing the Beijing Dream

Flyers advertising new housing developments are found throughout the Seventh Ring's route. (Click image to enlarge).

The highway between Zhuozhou and Langfang is still under construction in parts, giving the city an undue sense of remoteness. But while Zhuozhou may be small – a mere village by Chinese standards – it is by no means isolated. Connected to Beijing via high-speed rail, Zhuozhou is among the chief beneficiaries of the capital’s expansion plans.

(No VPN? Watch the video on Tudou here.)

Once a farming town, Zhuozhou today is a city transformed. As in Langfang, a housing boom has seen an influx of young couples and families priced out of Beijing and eager to get onto the housing market. Apartments here, locals tell us, are less than half the price of those in the capital.

In a newly opened real estate office, 28-year-old Huang Zhenke, a property agent, explains the city’s attraction: “Zhuozhou is Beijing’s sub-capital. Most people buying houses work in Beijing. Generally speaking, the market here is quite good. The price is within reach of regular working people. The local government supports real estate a lot. There’s been a massive amount of development since the opening of the high-speed rail line. The city has everything today – shopping malls, green spaces, good schools. It’s a paradise for young families.”

Throughout the day, the sound of fireworks – near and distant – can be heard, each succession of bangs announcing that a marriage is taking place.

The wedding industry appears to be an important part of Zhuozhou’s economy – the high street is home to scores of bridal stores, their windows filled with promises of ‘New Style Weddings’ and ‘Paris Fashion Dresses’.

Aspiration is evident elsewhere too. Opposite the main square, a billboard advertising a nearby shopping mall invites you to ‘order your dream life,’ while stores sell ‘European kitchens,’ ‘Milan fashion’ and ‘luxury furniture.’

Photo Gallery

The Flyers of Zhouzhou

Click to view gallery.

Outside, three-wheeled cabs wait to pick up shoppers. Cab driver Wang Lichang, 57, who was born and raised in Zhuozhou, is supportive of the changes taking place.

“The new people are driving the economy. They want to settle down and raise families here. Young people today have many more opportunities than I did growing up. My daughter works in Beijing but she lives here, it’s perfect for her,” he explains.

“My dream is that one day we will all be Beijingers,” he adds. “The rail line and the Seventh Ring are bringing us all closer together – that is good for Beijing and for us.”