By Wu Wencong

The desperate scramble for places in State-run kindergartens has led to massive line-ups outside schools in the capital.

On July 9, more than 200 people waited outside the Huilongguan Central Kindergarten hoping to snare a place for their loved ones. People started queuing at 5 am.

And a few days earlier, more than 100 parents waited outside the Huilongguan Beijiaonongchang Kindergarten for a staggering three days in the hope of snagging one of only five available places.

The months of June and July are well known as the months when the annual hunt for spaces in State-owned kindergartens in Beijing takes place.

Communities such as Tiantongyuan and Huilongguan, where more than 600,000 people share three State-owned kindergartens, see the longest line-ups and the most desperation from parents.

The two communities were formed 10 years ago within Changping district. Tiantongyuan community is the largest in Asia, while the Huilongguan community is also famous for its massive "ant tribe" cluster comprised of mainly young migrant workers.

Teachers and students taking part in a reading activity at a private kindergarten.