<P> Principal photography took place in Beijing , China , and filming began in July 2009 and ended on October 16 , 2009 . The Karate Kid was released theatrically worldwide on June 11 , 2010 by Sony Pictures . The Karate Kid received mixed reviews and it earned $359.1 million on a $40 million budget . The plot concerns 12 - year - old Dre ( Smith ) from Detroit , Michigan who moves to Beijing , China with his mother ( Taraji P. Henson ) and runs afoul of the neighborhood bully ( Zhenwei Wang ) . He makes an unlikely ally in the form of an aging maintenance man , Mr. Han ( Chan ) , a kung fu master who teaches him the secrets of self - defense . </P>
where does the karate kid 2010 take place
Beijing , China