Moving to a new city is exciting, but let’s be real: It can also be pretty overwhelming. If you’ve just arrived in Beijing and aren’t quite sure where to start, we’ve got something special for you.

We’re giving away free tickets to our readers for INN’s Beijing Arrival Survival, which is designed to help fresh faces in Beijing settle in smoothly. Whether you’re struggling with the subway system, hunting for affordable apartments or just want to meet other newbies, this event is for you.

Want a free ticket? Here’s how to get one:
Just like this post and comment below with one thing you’ve found tricky since moving to Beijing. Maybe it’s ordering food, dealing with visa paperwork or just missing home. We’ll randomly pick six winners – no complicated rules, just a bit of luck!

Winners will be announced on Wed, Aug 13, so don’t wait! Even if you don’t snag a free ticket, we’d still love to see you there. Let’s make Beijing feel a little more like home.

Images: INN, Freepik

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!

Entry Fee:
Early Bird (before Aug 8): RMB 25/person
After Aug 8: RMB 50/person
Kids under 12 are FREE!

RSVP to INN on WeChat by Aug 8: Innbeijing1994

Date: Sat, Aug 16, 2025
Time: 2pm-5pm
Location: Beijing Guoyihui TCM Center
Tel. for directions: 13488870059

Find it:
Beijing Guoyihui TCM Center
16 Liangma He Nanlu, Chaoyang District
北京国医汇中医
朝阳区亮马河南路16号

Images: Rebecca Carter

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and while the real festivities don’t kick off until the end of the month, International Newcomer’s Network (INN) has invited local cultural education staples, Black Sesame Kitchen and Cultural Keys, to host a celebration next Monday (January 13), at their monthly meeting location on the third floor of the Capital Mansion Athletic Center in Chaoyang District.

Black Sesame Kitchen will introduce folks to the foods associated with Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, including demonstrations on how to make dumplings, the most important dish of the holiday, and yuan xiao — or tang yuan — a clear broth soup with sweet rice dumplings.

Likewise, Cultural Keys will be covering the basics of Spring Festival, from the history of the event to modern temple fairs, as well as the practice of giving and receiving red envelopes (hóngbāo), and the modern practicalities of the festival.

The event will last from 10am to noon, and entry costs RMB 60, which includes coffee, tea, pastries, and holiday treats. After the presentations, everyone is invited to join the Lunch Bunch for an informal gathering of food and socializing, at Fu Man Lou Chinese restaurant, a short walk away from the Athletic Center.

According to co-organizer, Maria Renee Cruz, “INN is all about spreading love and holiday spirit, plus making it educational and interesting for everyone.”

All tickets for the event will be sold at the door.

For more information, contact INN by email at innbeijing16@outlook.com, WeChat: innbeijing16, or phone, 8486 2225 ext. 12.

Capital Mansion Athletic Center, 3rd Floor, No. 6 Xin Yuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang District

Photos: Pixabay, INN

Fall is upon and summer is almost out, and we all know what that means – new expat arrivals to Beijing and the INN’s biggest gathering of the year! Arrival Survival is here to help those who are new to the city find their feet. This year Expat Connection is partnering with INN at Arrival Survival to help make life a little easier as you and your family settle in the capital city.

It’s hard for those of us who have been around a while to remember the initiation phase we all went through when we first arrived in Beijing. Learning to navigate your way around the city, a new job, and new social circles might be just a distant memory for many expats already acclimatized to life here, but for some this is brand new territory.

INN’s Arrival Survival is an informative morning, jam-packed with great guest speakers discussing topics ranging from from safety and emergency tips, transportation, and getting around town, telecommunications and internet tips, WeChat and other useful apps, banking, cashless payments, air and water quality, and social activities, just to name a few! These are topics I know I could have done with getting to grips with at the beginning of my Beijing journey. Three years on, and I’m still on a journey of discovery when it comes to finding out how to make life easier in this vast expanse of a city.

This is a great opportunity to find out what you need to know to make the early days a little less stressful. INN will also have awesome vendors and businesses in Beijing at the gathering who can make life in Beijing more enjoyable and accessible. Guests can stop by their tables, exchange contact information and more importantly, ask questions. It’s also a chance to make your first expat friends, some of who might just become life-long besties!

Don’t miss out! Spread the word and invite your expat friends and new acquaintances. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be provided throughout the morning, and the event will be the perfect opportunity to show how wonderfully well connected and welcoming our Beijing expat community is. For more information contact WeChat: INNBeijing1994 or visit: www.innbeijing.com.

Adults. RMB 60. Aug 26. 10am -12pm Capital Club Athletic Center, Level 3, Capital Mansion, No.6 Xin Yuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang District (8486 2225 ext. 110)北京市朝阳区新源南路6号，京城大厦康乐中心3楼

Photos: Courtesy of organizers

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Chinese Knife Skills Cooking Class, Feb 1
A Chinese chef is judged first of all on their knife skills. The Hutong is organizing a class which will teach you Chinese knife skills such as slicing, shredding, mincing, and deboning with a cleaver. Participants will be able to whip up three classic Chinese dishes by the end of this class. Adults. RMB 300. 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong. To register, please sign up here. 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District. 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号. (6404 3355)

Chinese New Year Dumpling Party at The Hutong, Feb 2
Come to join the fourth annual Chinese New Year Dumpling Party at The Hutong! Their culinary team will teach you how to roll the dough and fill it with meat in a very professional way. As well as a basic dumpling-making lesson, there will be beer, mulled wine, and a lucky draw with prizes. All ages. RMB200. 5-8pm. The Hutong. Reservation needed to sign up here. 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District. 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号(6404 3355)

Piggy Bun Workshop and Spring Festival Poster Monotype for Preschoolers, Jan 29
Join this Chinese New Year workshop and learn how to make custard piggy buns, while touring Little Pace Preschool. This open house event offers not only piggy buns and a traditional New Year monotype poster, but also an opportunity for those who are searching for a kindergarten. Ages 2-4. Free for members; for non-members, RMB 150 covers one child and one adult. 4-5.30pm. Little Pace Courtyard Preschool. Xintaicang Hutong, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng District. 东城区北新桥新太仓胡同 (Wechat: littlepace, telephone :159 0107 7515)

Gong Xi Fa Cai Cultural Event at INN, Jan 28
INN is organizing an informative cultural event , featuring a discussion of all things related to Chinese New Year with AJ and Nic from Cultural Keys. This event is for foreign passport holders only. All ages. RMB 60 (tickets available at the door). 10am-noon. Capital Mansion Athletic Club. RSVP needed, sign up here. 3F, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District.

Last Cheese Fondue Craze at Zarah, Feb 2
Join in this Cheese Fondue Craze, for a three hour free-flow “Fondue Craze” buffet, including a crazy selection of all-you-can-eat starters and salads, and various popular fondue dippers such as cornichons, mini pearl onions, and baby potatoes. If you‘re the sort of “Rambo” who prefers meat to veggies with your fondue, they also provide a colorful “Fondue Craze” buffet featuring some cold cuts and sausages. All ages. RMB 198(adults), RMB 98 (ages 6-12), complimentary for kids below 6. RSVP before 1st February 2019, reservation of minimum 2 persons needed. 7pm-1am. Zarah. Email: info@cafezarah.com. 46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区鼓楼东大街42号(8403 9807)

Chinese New Year’s Eve Party at The Orchid, Feb 4
The Orchid Hotel is holding their annual Chinese New Year’s Eve Party on February 4. As with previous events, RMB 300 will get you unlimited Great Leap Brewing beer, mulled wine, and finger food from the Orchid Hotel’s in-house Mediterranean restaurant, Toast,  as well as their newest project – Furongji. All ages. RMB 300 (book at the door), RMB 288( book in advance). 8pm-2am. The Orchid. 65 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区宝钞胡同65号（8404 4818）

Chinese New year’s Eve Celebration at Cultural Keys, Feb 4
Join Cultural Keys for a Chinese New Year’s Eve celebration, where you will learn more about Chinese New Year customs, write Spring Festival couplets, make dumplings, and enjoy a meal together. This event is suitable for families, and will pick up and drop off at Tuanjiehu subway station.

All ages. RMB 688 (includes all materials and food), RMB 1188 for two people (eight seats only in total). Cultural Keys. Pickup: 3pm at Tuanjiehu Subway Station (Exit D), drop off: 10pm at Tuanjiehu Subway Station (Exit D). For more information please visit this page or contact this email: events@culturalkeys.cn. 191,Xiaopu Beijie, Xiaopu Village, Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District. (通州区宋庄镇小堡村小堡北街 191号（北门A）

Mutual Learning of Civilizations — World Images in Print Context, Jan 22-Feb 24 (closed Mondays)
This exhibition shows about 200 prints from the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) and Heilongjiang Provincial Art Museum. Following the theme of “mutual learning of civilizations”, it is divided into five parts: “Multi-Visions”, “Louvre Treasures”, “Reviving Classics”, “British Horizon”, and “Tales of the Mortal World”. These prints seek to analyze the humanism and cultural themes of the prints displayed, along with the creation of a better world through drawing on the experiences of the different civilizations of the past. All ages. Free. 9 am-4pm. National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). For more information please visit this page.1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区五四大街1号(6401 2252)

Beauty in Landscape—NAMOC Collected Landscape Works Exhibition, Jan 22-Feb 24 (closed Mondays)
This exhibition displays 300 landscapes NAMOC has collected since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. They cover the categories of traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, print, watercolor, and sculpture. Focusing on the theme of “Beauty in Landscape”, these works show the beautiful natural scenery of the great motherland, as well as the rich spiritual life of the Chinese artists. All ages. Free. 9am-4pm. National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). For more information please click or tap here .1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区五四大街1号(6401 2252)

Heart & Crafts: French and Chinese Handicrafts, Jan 12- Mar 17
In cooperation with the National Museum of China and the French Ministry of Culture, 15 top French and 11 top Chinese craftsmen are displaying their handicrafts, showing works including ceramics, fans, straw weaving, woodblock watermarks, and much more. All ages. RMB 30. 8.30am-4.30pm. The National Museum of China. For more information, please visit this page. East side of Tian’anmen Square,16 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District. 东长安街16号，天安门东侧(6512 8910 or 6525 6774)

Greetings from South Korea, Jan 17-Mar 10（closed Mondays）
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre is presenting the exhibition Greetings from South Korea, which shows multifaceted aspects of Korean photography across three different periods. This theme is divided into three parts: “Limb Eung-Sik: History Through the Lens”, “Reinventing Our Time”, and “Same Seasons, Different Memories”. It will be the first tour of the exhibition after its appearance at the Jimei×Arles International Photo Festival in Xiamen in 2018. All ages. Free. 10am-6pm. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre(every Monday is closed). For more information please visit this page. 155 East End Art, Caochangdi Village, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区草场地艺术东区155号(6432 2663)

Rhythm of the Dance by The National Dance Company of Ireland, Feb 4
The Rhythm of the Dance is a performance which combines Irish step dancing with toe-tapping live music and a smattering of Latin rhythms, rated as one of the most popular Irish step dance shows in the world. This show tells the story of the Irish Celts’ thousand-year journey through history, combining traditional dance and the latest stage technology. All ages. RMB 180-1080. 7.30-9.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). For tickets please visit this page. 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District.西城区西长安街2号(6655 0000)

Yoga Flow One-Month Program at Casa Flamenco, Jan 29
Need something more solid for your yoga practice than drop-in classes, but don’t want to make a long-term commitment? Check out this Tuesday-Thursday one month Yoga Flow Programme at Casa Flamenco and relax your mind and body. The program runs until January 31. Adults. RMB 1,200. 5.15-6.15pm. Casa Flamenco. 11-1-14, 9 Jianwai Dajie, Qijiayuan Diplomatic Residence Compound, Chaoyang District.朝阳区建外大街9号，齐家园外交公寓11-1-14 (139 1091 4251)

Vinyasa Yoga at W Prime, Jan 29
Vinyasa Yoga instructor Ashley is holding four periods of classes to heat up your body this winter. It’s free for first-timers. You can scan the below QR code for more information. Adults. RMB 120 per class, free for first-timers. 7.30 -8.45 pm. Beijing Four Seasons Hotel. 48 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区亮马桥路48号. (5695 8888)

Photos: courtesy of event organizers

Looking to do some good for people in Beijing and beyond, but don’t know where to begin? Then why not check out this event being organized by the International Newcomers Network (INN). On Monday, Oct 30 they will be holding a gathering of some of the most prominent volunteer organizations in town who are making a huge difference for many living in Beijing and around China.

Are you an animal lover, or want to help children? Well, they will have something here for that too. This is the perfect event to go around and meet various groups and find out which one best suits your interest, and finally where the next meeting will be.

Along with being a great opportunity to use your specific skillsets to benefit the less fortunate, these groups are also great for meeting people that share your same desire to help. This makes INN’s Volunteer event great for newcomers in the city to expand their network.

So, next Monday at 10am-12pm head over to the third floor of the Capital Mansion Athletic Club to connect and begin your Beijing philanthropic journey. For more info check out the INN website here.

Photo: scmp.com

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add vanessajencks on WeChat.

Free

Hyde Academy Open House, Oct 18
For adults. Hyde Academy hosts an Open House for prospective parents to learn more about the school and tour the new facilities. Registration required. Free. 9-10.30am. Hyde Academy (8046 7085)

Adjusting to Life in Beijing, Oct 19
Adults. This joint discussion by International Newcomers Network (INN), Raffles Medical, and United Family Healthcare (BJU) will cover a range of topics from the stages of cultural adjustment, transportation options, top resources of information about Beijing on websites to magazines, to air quality concerns, and what to do in an emergency. Free. 9-10.30am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588)

YCIS Beijing: Open Day Meet the Co-Principals, Oct 19
Adults. This Open Day will be an opportunity to meet the YCIS Beijing’s Western and Chinese Co-Principals, who will speak in particular about their bilingual educational environment and unique co-teaching model. Free. 9.30am-11am. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8583 3731)

MSB Parent Study Group: “Literacy and Language Development”, Oct 19
For adults. The second series of yearlong talks focuses on the many ways in which parents can support their children’s literacy and language development. Acting Interim Principal Sharon Keenan will lead this talk. Registration required. Free. 8.30-10.30am. International Montessori School of Beijing (aislingobrien@msb.edu.cn)

DCB Early Years Open Day, Oct 19
For adults. Prospective parents have the chance to observe how children ages 1-7 learn in an international child-centered environment at DCB’s Riviera Main Campus. Listen to a presentation by Head of Early Years, David Mumford on the school’s UK curriculum followed by a Q&A session then a tour of the school. Registration required. Refreshments included. 9-10.45am. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9068, Flora.Zhang@dulwich-beijing.cn)

INN Shunyi Coffee Morning at BSB, Shunyi, Oct 20
Adults. The International Newcomers Network Coffee Mornings is a great opportunity to meet other newcomers and old-times in the Shunyi area. Free. 10am-Noon. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588).

Harrow Beijing Autumn Fair, Oct 22
All ages. Harrow Beijing’s Autumn Fair brings quintessential British flair such as Bric-a-Brac (vendors selling their wares), delicious fair food, entertaining games and activities, and live performances to the community. This event is organized by Friends of Harrow. Free. 10-am-3pm. Harrow International School Beijing (6444 8900)

INN Fall Bazaar, Oct 22
All ages. Lots of stands will be selling everything from jewellery to fashion to arts and crafts, plus plenty of games and activities for kids. Free. 11am-7pm. Topwin Centre Street Market, Next to the new Intercontinental Hotel, Sanlitun Nan Lu (www.innbeijing.com).

Roundabout Book Fair at DCB, Oct 22, 24 and 25
All ages. Grab your own stellar book deals (as low as RMB 1) and support a charitable cause. Free. 10am-3pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9000)

Active Parenting Workshops: Primary School, Oct 24
Adults. Parents of Primary School-aged students are invited to attend Active Parenting Workshops every Monday from October 24 through November 28 at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). Active Parenting delivers quality education programs for parents, children and teachers to schools, hospitals, social services organizations, churches and the corporate market. Active Parenting Publishers is recognized as an innovator in the educational market and is committed to its mission of developing human potential through its programs. Free. 10am-Noon. Yew Chung International School of Beijing  (8583 3731)

Unique

Hutong Pumpkin Cupcakes Making Class, Oct 23
Ages 5+. Chef Anete will be with you as you prepare your very own cupcakes from scratch, complete with spice-infused buttercream, while also have some fun of having halloween style decoration. RMB 350. 2.30-5pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

“The Hound of The Baskervilles” Case with Sherlock Holmes, Oct 21-22
Children must be 1.2m of height to be admitted. Join Chapterhouse and Sherlock Holmes for a memorable night with your best investigative abilities as you unravel this mystery filled with confusion, suspense, and tension. See here for more information about the Chapterhouse Theater Company in Britain. RMB 120-380. 7:30pm. Beijing 9th Theater, 17 West Xizoahuang Jintai, Chaoyang Cultural Center, Chaoyang District. 朝外小庄金台里17号(ponypiao@damai.cn or buy tickets here)

Magic World Winter Sports Expo, Oct 19 – 22
All ages. This expo is a one-stop shop for gear and everything else related to winter sports in China. The expo is supported by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) and IDG, and will take place annually at least until the Winter Olympics in 2022. Open to the public 21 and 22. Price TBA. 9am-4pm. China National Convention Center (Register Here)

Ongoing

BSB Baby and Toddler Group, Fridays
Ages 0-18mnths. Meet other moms of small children at this playgroup with plenty of age-appropriate toys, seasonal crafts, singing, actions, and more. Open to foreign passport holders only, the mother or father needs to attend, not the ayi. Drinks and snacks provided. Register by email. Free. 9-10.30am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588, play@britishschool.org.cn)

Bumps2Babes Playgroups
Ages 3 and under. This thriving parent community is geared toward parents with kids born after January 2013. It has free playgroups meeting throughout the city. We suggest parents new to the city get involved and hang out with a playgroup in your region. English speakers only. Don’t forget to ask to receive the newsletter and be added to the official Bumps2Babes WeChat group. Free. Time and location vary (beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com)

Best of Next Week

OASIS Childbirth Workshop: Starting Solids, Oct 28
Adults. Leora Martins M&C Nutrition Workshops aim to make the unfathomable, fathomable, the impossible, possible. Nutrition is a friend not an enemy and Leora will show how to make healthy living simple. Registration required. RMB 50. 10-11am. Oasis International Hospital (Ashley.Gaul@oasishealth.cn)

Halloween Party with beijingkids and JingKids, Oct 29-30
Ages 3+. Our party is special because it allows kids to have the full experience of Halloween, including all the fun of trick-or-treating in a totally safe, adult-supervised, indoor environment. We’ll be hosting crafts and games, character bedazzled trick-or-treating, pumpkins, the haunted house, and more. Check out last year’s spookiness and fun here. Limited to 200 children per session. RMB 250 per child, RMB 150 per adult. Sessions both days at 9.30am and 2pm. Buy tickets on Yoopay – which accepts everything from WeChat Wallet to foreign credit cards – here. Private sessions available. Canadian International School of Beijing (5934 6708, events@truerun.com)

Professional Women – Developing an Executive Presence, Oct 27
Adults. In this one-day session, AmCham China will look at some fascinating research, engage in dynamic discussion and, most importantly, teach practical tools on how to develop executive presence as professional women. This is an open course for professional women committed to their own growth. We welcome professionals from all industries and backgrounds. The program will be delivered in English. Coffee, lunch and light refreshments will be provided during breaks. RMB 2,000 (members), RMB 2,500 (non-members). 8.45am-5pm. AmCham China Conference Center (Register here)

Daystar Academy Open House, Oct 26
For adults. Daystar opens its doors for prospective parents to tour their brand new facilities as well as quiz the faculty on the school. Registration required. Free. 9-11.30 am. Daystar Academy (5603 9446, admissions@daystarchina.cn)

Spartan Race: Beijing Sprint, Oct 30
For adults. Need to test your human abilities? Well, the first ever Reebok Spartan Sprint taking place in Beijing features a 6km course with more than 20 Signature Spartan Obstacles, great for beginners and seasoned athletes. There are two sessions for the Open Individual and Open Group, 9.30am and 12.30pm. The Elite Individual is only 9am (men) and 9.15am (women). The early bird price ends on October 16. Registration required. RMB 489 (Elite Individual), RMB 459 (Open Individual), RMB 369 (Open Group). 9am-4pm. Location TBA (400 623 5058, spartanracechina@secaworld.com)

Photos: en.damai.cn, Uni You, and courtesy of Harrow International School Beijing

Ten years before Facebook started, and well before WeChat, the International Newcomers’ Network (INN) formed in Beijing 23 years ago in 1994. Originally, the group was founded by a group of expatriates who saw great value in sharing knowledge and tips about living in Beijing. The city was a far different environment back then and discovering other expats or imported goods was an arduous task. Finding international hospitals, paying for utilities, and using public transport were difficult challenges, as services were not geared towards foreigners. After founding the organization expat life in Beijing became manageable for its members.

By pooling resources and sharing information and advice, life in a new, exciting, and challenging city became more fun with the best possible outcome of many deep friendships forged. Now, two decades later, INN is still going strong and has evolved over time by broadening its scope of events and interests. The organization’s diversity keeps growing with many husbands and fathers now very active members and enjoying this time-honored club as well.

Living in the capital in 2016 is far more convenient than it was back then, but there are still numerous challenges especially for newcomers who don’t speak Mandarin or understand doing things the local way. INN offers itself as a support network for expats who want to meet new friends and get involved in a community based organization.

Every month, there are multiple events around the city and all foreign passport holders are welcome to join (only foreign nationals permitted to attend the general monthly gathering due to government regulations). The sustainability of the organization hinges on the goodwill of the wonderful volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to assist new and veteran residents to maximize their benefit of living in the capital. As a result, INN’s events and activities always have a friendly and family feel. INN has no commercial sponsors so everything done is purely for the love of helping other expats.

The INN organizing family has an open door policy and is always looking for people to get involved whether as a volunteer board member, helping to organize and host events, and especially attending and supporting get togethers. For example, Arrival Survival is INN’s annual guide on how to thrive and survive in Beijing and is also the biggest event of the year. Additionally, every month INN holds general gatherings at the Capital Club Athletic Center inside the Capital Mansion compound on Xinyuan Nanlu, near Liangmaqiao. Many attend monthly gatherings, where new and existing members come together as well as a host of INN approved vendors and charities, which support the expat community.

Spring bazaar

Arrival Survival
August’s event is always reserved for “Arrival Survival” as many new families relocate to Beijing just in time for the new school year. This year is no different and as every year goes by INN moves in time with the city and offers attendees advice on how to enjoy or cope with life in Beijing.

This year there will be six speakers at the event offering advice on how to live a happy life in Beijing. They draw from their personal experiences and professional backgrounds to offer much needed advice.

INN’s new President, Juli Bradley, who is from the USA, will host the event. With INN under her leadership, we can expect to see the organization continue its high level of support for expats and continue to grow in size as more and more foreign nationals move to China. Other speakers include Averil Harrison-Thuemmel, a member of the INN steering committee and who organizes the monthly Trekkies group, which takes people on tours around some of the lesser-known and more interesting areas in Beijing.

Following Harrison-Thuemmel’s talk will be a chat on how to conquer the Beijing transport network. Then Carnissa Berry, who is a life coach with a great reputation, will talk you through some coping strategies if you are finding the transition and navigating Chinese culture to be sometimes trying. Sherpa’s, a name you will become very familiar with, will introduce how to use their mobile app and get your favorite foods delivered to your apartment. Next will be Kenny, from Fun Guide, who will guide you through how to use his new Beijing based expat APP that includes some of the best places and events to go to. And finally, Beijing United Family Hospital will host a brief talk on staying healthy and medical care for expats.

INN Group Activities
If you are new to the city or have been here for many years, you want to get involved with other expats, meet new friends or just hang out and have some fun while enjoying great food, wine, cocktails or beer, then INN is the right group for you.

• INN General Gathering – Once a month everyone meets up over a coffee and pastries to learn about ways to enjoy life in Beijing and gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture with our guest speakers.
• Coffee Mornings – The clue is in the name! There are two meeting ups once a month in down town and Shunyi. The next Coffee Morning is at British School of Beijing, Shunyi on August 25.
• Lunch Bunch – Each month the Lunch Bunch visits a new and exciting restaurant around town.
• Trekkies – A monthly tour of a Beijing hidden gem. The next Trekkie will be a tour of some of Beijing’s various food markets on September 1.
• Beer Night – Aimed at getting more men involved, the next Beer Night is on Thursday 18th August at Jing A, everyone is welcome to join. INN also has various other nights out, social gatherings and, an annual fall social which is one of the most highly anticipated and fun events of the year!

For more information, visit INN’s website where you will find details of all of INN events, INN’s supported charities, and our monthly newsletter. If you wish to receive the INN monthly newsletter please send an email to: contactus@innbeijing.com

Photos: Courtesy of INN

In this month’s INN’s general meeting, doctors and emergency personnel will be on hand to answer your medical concerns at the Capital Club Athletic Center from 10am-noon. The admission fee is RMB 50 and you can get a cup of joe, tea, and morning pastries. As the season is changing and the trips to the doctor is likely to increase because of the different times each member will be sick, this is a good time to learn which hospitals actually accept emergency cases and which ones don’t, get myths debunked about vaccinations, and much more. If you haven’t grabbed a copy of our September issue then get on it as we focus on health issues such as local hospitals, insurance, and vaccination.

Get in touch with them via email contactus@innbeijing.org or get more information from www.innbeijng.org

Who’s INN?

Where new and seasoned expats come to make new friends and reacquaint with old.

The International Newcomers Network (INN)is a non-profit, non-political,non-governmental, non-denominational,non-registered organization established in 1994 by a group of expatriates living in Beijing.

Photo: INN