Vanke shares have jumped 58.7% since then, while Poly is up 27.5% and Longfor, 17.7%.

FORBES: China Real Estate Stars Hit Headwinds

That growth, and hopes for government policy easing, helped to boost Wu's stake in Longfor in the past year.

FORBES: Wu Yajun & family

She chairs the board of Longfor Properties, which trades in Hong Kong.

FORBES: How China's Self-Made Women Billionaires Earned Their Fortunes

In the face of government policies aimed at lowering real estate prices, Longfor turned up the sales volume in the first half of this year.

FORBES: Divorce Knocks Net Worth Of China's Richest Woman But Makes Her Ex A Billionaire

Wu Yajun leads major real estate developer Longfor Properties and was once China's richest woman, but her divorce last year knocked her from the top spot.

FORBES: Wu Yajun & family

Wu, a former journalist, started Longfor in Chongqing in 1994.

FORBES: Wu Yajun & family

China Vanke was down 6.1% and Longfor Properties, 5.5%.

FORBES: China Real Estate Stars Hit Headwinds

According to a September company disclosure to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Wu owns 43.2% of Longfor through the Wu Family Trust, which she set up in June 2008, one year before the company listed in Hong Kong.

FORBES: Divorce Knocks Net Worth Of China's Richest Woman But Makes Her Ex A Billionaire