Become a True Beijing INNsider

Welcome to Beijing, Newbie! You’re going to love your new life in this wonderful city. You’re already reading jingkids, so you’re off to a good start. It’s time to start building your own social network and meet some amazing people who also call this city home. Beijing’s International Newcomer’s Network (INN) is a great place to start. It’s where you can get to know some local businesses and meet people who’ve dedicated their free time to welcoming newbies, just like yourselves, to Beijing.

INN is a non-registered, non-profit, non-political, non-governmental, non-denominational organization established in 1994 by a group of expatriates living in Beijing, and contrary to its name, it’s not just for newcomers! INN is a resource for newcomers, returnees and long-term residents of all nationalities to obtain information about living in Beijing. It offers a support network for those facing the challenges of getting settled in Beijing and provides an opportunity to meet new friends and connect with those who have similar interests. It also supports approved charity organizations, approved social groups, and non-profit sports clubs and groups.

Now, let’s meet the two ladies leading INN.

Hi, everyone! I’m Rebecca Carter. I am a mum of two boys (and two corgis) who has lived in Beijing since October 2023. I found INN in November 2023 as two of its final three members left Beijing – Mary was desperate for help. I was new in the city, had no job, and knew no one, so I offered to volunteer and have been since. I love volunteering for INN as it has helped me connect with so many fantastic people.

Hello! I am Mary Peng and I am from the USA. I moved to Shanghai in 1991 and then to Beijing in 1992. I joined INN in 2004 as a volunteer when I was considering leaving the corporate world and wanted to meet more people in the community. In 2005, I founded the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) and am the CEO. INN helped me make the transition to a new life as an entrepreneur with many friends who were loving and supportive. INN has given me a tremendous sense of purpose and has deeply enriched my life.

What kind of events or services does INN offer to newcomers in Beijing?

INN holds many monthly social gatherings, and we invite all members of the community to come along and join us.

Which of these look fun to you? Get in touch with us, we want to meet you!

Social Gatherings
Lunch/Bunch
Trekkies & Market Visits
Beer Night
Quiz Night
Coffee Mornings (1-2 times every month)

INN also hosts five BIG events each year:

Beijing Love Your Pet Day – late March
Beijing Earth Day – mid to late April
INN Arrival Survival (welcomes newcomers and returnees and this year will be on Aug 16, 2025)
INN Halloween Fun Party – end of October
INN Christmas Party – mid-December

How large is your community, and what kinds of expats typically join?

We have a loose network of over 1,000 INN members who subscribe to our WeChat groups and social media. People from all walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities join INN. Many of the expats are working full time and have spouses or significant others and kids. Ages range from newborn babies to 60+ years. Attendees are usually women, though we really hope more men will join us as well. Many single individuals also join INN events. As expats, it is so important to have Chinese friends. INN provides opportunities for these global friendships.

How can new arrivals get involved with your network?

Contact INN on WeChat and join our groups (WeChat ID: innbeijing1994). We have specific groups for our events: Newbies, Shunyi, Haidian etc. Join and come to an INN meet-up or big event!

In your opinion, as seasoned INN volunteers…

What are the biggest challenges expats face when moving to Beijing, and how does INN help?

Rebecca:

As I moved to Beijing recently, my biggest challenge was meeting people and getting a community, especially for my son. I also think [it’s a challenge] knowing where to buy things/access services, such as which hairdressers, drinking water, western food/good quality meat or bread, or desserts, clothes, and the list goes on. I’ve been here 21 months, and I’m still finding things.

For newcomers who are new to China, it’s probably that a lot of apps are only in Chinese, so getting advice and tips from other expats is very helpful.

Mary:

The initial honeymoon period for new expats is usually three to six months. Everything is great and interesting and exciting. But once you get settled and the kids are in school and your spouse is at work, you can find yourself alone and without a lot of friends. This is when life becomes more challenging as you have to figure out the day-to-day aspects of living in China (e.g. buying electricity, paying water and gas bills, dealing with the bank, mailing packages, shopping online with mainly Chinese apps etc.) and you are often doing this on your own. This is also the time when culture shock sets in, and you may not understand why things are happening and how to work out these challenges. INN is filled with seasoned expats and newbies who can share knowledge and advice and experiences to meet these challenges.

What advice would you give to someone who just arrived in Beijing to adjust to life here?

Rebecca:

1) Accept that TIC (This is China) is an acceptable response
2) Learn basic Chinese
3) Practice using the Chinese apps and learn which buttons you need to press to fulfil your basic needs. You don’t need to be able to read; you just need to know that the button on the bottom left is “buy”
4) Join INN events, obviously

Mary:

Just show up! Come to the INN events that fit your schedule. The antidote to loneliness and culture shock (and to saying goodbye to your friends as they leave every year) is to get involved and to just show up at events! INN welcomes everyone, and most of our events are no-cost or very low-cost (e.g. just buy your own food and drink at Coffee Mornings and other events).

Are there any common cultural misunderstandings expats should be aware of?

Many! For example, when Chinese people make a mistake or find themselves in an embarrassing situation, the default response is to laugh. But foreigners may take this as rude to laugh in a difficult situation. And it is very common to have Chinese friends or colleagues make comments about physical appearance or body weight. No disrespect is meant by this, as it is often someone just engaging in small talk.

What’s the most rewarding part of being in INN?

Rebecca:

All the friends I’ve made. I met Mary and we’ve become best friends. She even came to my son’s birth and stayed with me in the hospital overnight to help.

Mary:

The incredible group of good friends from around the world. I met Rebecca in October 2023, when our last two other INN volunteers were leaving China. I was the only INN volunteer left. Rebecca was a godsend. She has become my best friend and has also given me the gift of an extended family with her boys and husband, Dan. INN friendships have lasted decades, and the pleasure of keeping in touch with all the friends I have made, following their lives and seeing them again when we find ourselves in the same country, is one of the greatest joys in life.

Do you have a favorite success story of someone your organization has helped?

Rebecca:

A recent one where a mum was complaining about how difficult it was to use Didi taxi, and we asked her why she didn’t just use the English version. Her face was an absolute picture. She’d been struggling for months and would have been for longer. We helped her set it up, and she was so grateful.

Mary :

Yes! INN members are often career guys and gals who came to China as trailing spouses. We had a doctor from Europe who was told she could not work here due to not having the local medical licenses. Through our network of INN friends at the international hospitals, she was able to find a wonderful hospital to sponsor her to work legally in Beijing, and she was hired locally! She was so happy to be able to practice medicine in Beijing.

The next INN event will be at Panorama on Aug 5 at 11am. Get in touch via WeChat to join. Are you INN?

INN has also set a date for their upcoming “Arrival Survival”! This is a great place to meet new people and make new friends. Connect with more than 30 organizations, including hospitals, dentists, spas, hair care, beauty salons, jewelry designers, travel agents, language schools, relocation experts, animal hospitals, organic farms, yoga studios, bakeries and more!