'Landlords hold all the power'

Shao Leyuan admits she still holds a big city dream in her heart - but after "living in limbo" for two years, she has little idea how she will make it come true.

The 24-year-old is among millions of graduates who have flocked to Shanghai in search of wealth and happiness only to find the path to success barred by sky-rocketing property prices.

Since college graduation in nearby Jiangxi province in 2008, she has lived in four districts of this East China metropolis - Hongkou, Zhabei, Jing'an, Xuhui. After repeated clashes with landlords and real estate agents, she said she feels better than most what it is like to "live in other people's apartments".