Workers are drilling and hammering amid piles of dirt and rubble that cover almost every road in the village and posters for vacant homes can be seen on every new construction site.

"You can see a five-floor building completed in two months," said Gao Yuan, a IT worker who moved to the village four months ago.

And despite the humble conditions, members of the ant tribe are grateful to find homes they can afford.

Pan Junyu, 24, a graduate from Luoyang, Henan province, moved to Shigezhuang last Saturday from Tangjialing. It took him less than half a day to pack and unpack all of his belongings, which include three bags of clothes, a fan and a laptop.

But even though he doesn't have many belongings, his new room was full after he unpacked his luggage.

"I make 1,600 yuan every month. A private room that is not too far from work is more than enough for me," he said.

"I wouldn't even dream about renting a two-bedroom apartment near my work, which would cost me 3,000 yuan, let alone buy an apartment."

The commute to work from Shigezhuang isn't as convenient as the one from Tangjialing, according to Pan. Before, it took him 20 minutes on his bike to get to Shangdi Software Park but now he has to take two buses.

Pan said friends from Tangjialing have also moved to villages nearby.

"I just hope not too many people will move here, otherwise the rents will go up and the bus will become overcrowded."

(China Daily Aug 12, 2010)