WeChat Groups 101: Finding Your Beijing Crew

Who needs more WeChat Groups in your life? Don't answer that – we know you do!

OK, so maybe you don’t really need that many groups, but what you need is well-moderated groups with a specific focus. By joining niche groups and dumping the broadly defined ones, you’re then freed from the drudgery of wading through hundreds of messages you don’t care about every day.

We here at the Beijinger can vouch for the groups below – because we moderate them personally and do our best to keep them spam- and clutter-free. Our groups are completely free to join, unlike those weird “TubeMedia” accounts, because we’re here for the community, not for the commodification.

But before we begin, let's go over a few rules of the game:

WeChat Group Etiquette

Mute the Group: We recommend you mute notifications for any group larger than a dozen or so, otherwise you are going to be inundated with message notifications.

Read the Group Rules First. Before you start posting what you *think* is relevant to the group, read the rules. It’s basic courtesy.

Participate, Don’t Carpet Bomb. Lurkers who don’t have anything to say but still find the group worthwhile are welcome, but don’t be one of those people who re-post something that's already been covered ten times over.

Consider the Group Size. Remember that in a group of hundreds of people, the vast majority are silent but appreciate the group and don’t wait to wade through idle chatter to find the meat. Thus, extended back and forth between two users is not useful. 

Don’t Be a Spammer. There’s always a WeChat user out there who has joined every group and then spams them all with completely unrelated promotions. That's why we have the simple rule: spam one of the groups and you'll be excommunicated from them all.

Don’t Be a Repeat Poster. Don't post the same event every single day, no one wants to see the same thing over and over again.

Don't Send Voice Messages. Just don't. Ever. Period.

How to Join:

All of these groups already have over 200 members, which means you cannot join by scanning a QR code (them's the rules, we don't make them). So instead, what you need to do is add me, TBJButler (WeChat ID: TBJButler) and request membership.

Follow these steps:

1. Add me with a message mentioning specifically which groups (up to 3) you would like to join and why in your message.

All requests to join more than three groups will be ignored, so be choosy. You can always request to join more later!

Introducing our newest group:

• Art Attack: All the latest news about arty happenings in Beijing from exhibitions to arts and craft workshops and more. Scan the QR code below to join (if the group is full follow the earlier instructions to add TBJButer and ask to be added).

Foodie Groups:

• Beijing Bars & Booze: Cocktails, bar hopping, new openings, and nightlife.
• The Beijinger Foodies Group: General non-cuisine specific foodie chat.
• Taco Lovers: For admirers of all things taco.
• Beijing Expat Promos: Food/Drink promotions and advertisements aimed at foreigners in Beijing.
• Beijing Craft Beer Lovers: For lovers of local brews (and craft beers that make it here).
• Beijing Spicy Food Lovers: Restaurant recommendations, recipes, and more for pepperheads.
• Beijing Burger Lovers: Burgers and nothing more.
• Beijing Pizza Lovers: All about 'za in the 'Jing.
• Sausage Lovers: Everything sausage and hot dog related in Beijing.
• Cheap Eats in Beijing: Recommendations for restaurants/eats that cost less than RMB 50 per person.
• New Restaurants in Beijing: Tips and reviews for places that opened some time over the last few months.
• Beijing Caffeine Addicts: For those who love coffee in Beijing.