Beijing becomes world best place to invest on properties

It's heralded as the next global superpower. And after beating the West with its economic growth, education and productivity, China has also topped the table in terms of real estate - with four of its sprawling mega-cities making it into the top five of a Global Cities Index.

China's capital Beijing, home to around 22 million people, has jumped from fourth place to pole position in the index from fund manager Schroders, which ranks cities according to their future prospects and desirability of real estate.

Despite the ongoing machinations of Brexit, London is the only city not in China or the US to make it into the top 10.

It jumped two places to number eight - partly down to the combination of high dem

and alongside Green Belt planning rules that limit supply and increase the value of existing real estate.

It jumped two places to number eight - partly down to the combination of high demand alongside Green Belt planning rules that limit supply and increase the value of existing real estate.

After Beijing, the next three places have been bagged by fellow Chinese cities Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin. 

In fact, New York was the only non-Chinese city to sneak into the top five, falling from second to fifth place. 

After that, North America features heavily in the index, with Los Angeles, Dallas, Huston and Chicago all making it in to the top 10. Overall, the US takes 17 of the 30 places on the index.