Since we are talking about property here (something close to my heart).....
Although prices have retreated somewhat over the last year or so, buying an apartment still remains an expensive proposition for the average "Zhang" (Joe).
I have 2 apartments in China, one in Sanya ( a resort city by the south China sea) on Sanya Wan(Bay) and the other near Beijing (in Tongzhou, a satellite city east of BJG).
The last ten years were the heydeys of china property growth....those days are not coming back
:-( my sanya property grew 5 fold since my purchase in 2005. My Tongzhou property, alas, only 2 fold since end of 2009. Both peaked and retreated a bit over the last 2 years and holding steady now....keeping my fingers crossed. overall, my investments worked out well out here.
When I first came to Beijing in 2001, the most high-end, luxury property(apartment) could be had for RMB8,000 sqm. The same place now (used/2nd second) will set you back RMB65,000sqm.
2nd hand, old/average/worn down "middle-class" apartments (70's-80's buildings within the core 3rd ring road) cost RMB30,000 sqm.
However, these kind of price levels only apply to China's 1st tier cities, 2nd and 3rd tier prices are bargains in comparison.
Cheers! Happy Investing.............