Hardships and hope: Life of Beijing drifters
"Sometimes I drink and talk with my friends about our dreams. But getting on the crowded subway train everyday is really hard." – Xue Yanwu Xue Yanwu, 23, lives in north Beijing's suburb district of Changping where he shares a bedroom with one of his friends. Despite his parents' objection, Xue came to Beijing in May to study a course on UI (user interface) design. He said he enjoys the experience of having adventure. [Photo/IC] |
Editor's note: Beijing is a talent magnet thanks to abundant job opportunities and resources available. With those born in the 1980s and 1970s still the dominant forces in the labor market, the post-90s generation have followed their steps to join the massive force of beipiao, or drifters in Beijing, which refer to those who work in Beijing but do not have permanent resident status.
They left their hometowns and aspire to realize their dreams in this metropolis despite challenges like heavy traffic and sky-high housing prices. We take you into the lives of some of the drifters and dream chasers.