Twelve-year-old Dre Parker, along with his single mother, moves from Detroit to the unfamiliar city of Beijing, not knowing the language or local customs. Here he meets the Chinese girl Mei In. However, besides her father, who disapproves of their friendship due to cultural prejudices, a gang of hooligans led by Chen stands in his way. The only way to defeat him is to confront the foe at the upcoming grand martial arts tournament. In this, a martial arts expert, Mr. Han, decides to help the boy.