Current Time in China

Check local time in Beijing and all China cities. China uses CST (UTC+8).

China Quick Facts

🏛️ Capital City

Beijing

👥 Population

1.4B

💰 Currency

¥ Chinese Yuan

📞 Phone Code

+86

🗣️ Official Languages

Mandarin Chinese

🕐Time Zones in China

CST (UTC+8)

China uses CST (UTC+8) year-round. Beijing is the capital and largest city.

China does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means the time difference with countries that do observe DST (such as the US, UK, and most of Europe) will change twice a year when those countries adjust their clocks.

Major Cities in China (229 cities)

Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.

📞Best Time to Call China

Calling China from the US requires careful planning due to the significant time difference. If you're on the East Coast (EST), try calling between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, which will be morning time in China. West Coast callers (PST) can call between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. For UK callers, early morning calls work best.

Standard business hours in China are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Standard business hours in China are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.

✈️Time-Related Travel Tips for China

When traveling to China, expect significant jet lag if coming from Europe or the Americas. Allow 1-2 days to adjust to the time difference. Most China hotels will have alarm clocks, but setting your phone to local time immediately upon arrival helps. The primary language is Mandarin Chinese. Business meetings often start punctually, so account for traffic when planning.

💡Interesting Facts About Time in China

Despite its size, China uses only one time zone, simplifying scheduling across the entire country.
The capital Beijing is the political center of China with a total national population of 1.4B.
Many Asian countries, including China, historically based their time zones on Beijing or Tokyo time during different periods.
Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.

About Time in China

China uses a single time zone (CST (UTC+8)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.

The capital city Beijing serves as the political and often economic center of China. Major business activities are spread across cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen.

When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in China, it's important to consider the time difference. CST (UTC+8) is the most commonly referenced time zone for China.

China uses the Chinese Yuan (¥) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +86. Multiple languages are spoken, including Mandarin Chinese.

Cities in China

Explore local time in 229 cities across China:

Shanghai Beijing Shenzhen Guangzhou Chengdu Hangzhou Xi'an Chongqing Tianjin Wuhan Nanjing Suzhou Harbin Qingdao Dalian Xiamen Zhengzhou Changsha Dongguan Foshan Shenyang Ningbo Fuzhou Jinan Changchun Shijiazhuang Hefei Nanchang Kunming Taiyuan Nanning Guiyang Wuxi Wenzhou Lanzhou Ürümqi Shantou Linyi Baoding Weifang Yantai Xuzhou Tangshan Nantong Luoyang Huizhou Zhuhai Zhongshan Haikou Sanya Guilin Liuzhou Hohhot Lhasa Yinchuan Xining Zibo Changzhou Shaoxing Jiaxing Huai'an Yancheng Taizhou Yangzhou Zhenjiang Lianyungang Suqian Taizhou Jinhua Quzhou Lishui Huzhou Wuhu Ma'anshan Bengbu Anqing Chuzhou Fuyang Suzhou Bozhou Chizhou Xuancheng Quanzhou Putian Sanming Longyan Nanping Ningde Zhangzhou Ganzhou Jingdezhen Jiujiang Shangrao Yichun Yingtan Baotou Ordos Chifeng Tongliao Daqing Qiqihar Mudanjiang Jiamusi Jilin Siping Dandong Yingkou Fushun Anshan Benxi Jinzhou Panjin Huludao Handan Xingtai Langfang Hengshui Cangzhou Chengde Qinhuangdao Zhangjiakou Mianyang Leshan Zigong Zunyi Zhuzhou Yichang Kaifeng Xiangyang Yueyang Zhanjiang Zhaoqing Jingzhou Xianyang Xinxiang Yibin Luzhou Shaoguan Huangshi Zhoushan Xinyang Nanyang Meizhou Jiuquan Weinan Dezhou Liaocheng Jiaozuo Sanmenxia Pingdingshan Zhoukou Shangqiu Puyang Hebi Luohe Xuchang Zhumadian Jiyuan Anyang Ezhou Xiaogan Huanggang Suizhou Shiyan Enshi Qujing Yuxi Baoshan Zhaotong Liupanshui Anshun Bijie Tongren Xingyi Kaili Panzhihua Guangyuan Suining Neijiang Nanchong Dazhou Guang'an Meishan Ziyang Ya'an Bazhong Barkam Kangding Xichang Chuxiong Mengzi Wenshan Mangshi Liuku Shangri-La Jinghong Simao Lincang Anning Tengchong Ruili Jingdong Mojiang Hulunbuir Wuhai Bayannur Jining Xilinhot Bayanhot Ulanhot Bole Changji Yining Tacheng Altay Hami Aksu Hotan Artux Shihezi Karamay Dali Lijiang Beihai Baoji Yan'an Dunhuang Kashgar Turpan

Frequently Asked Questions About Time in China

China uses CST (UTC+8). The capital Beijing uses CST (UTC+8).

China does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means the time difference with countries that do observe DST (such as the US, UK, and most of Europe) will change twice a year when those countries adjust their clocks.

Calling China from the US requires careful planning due to the significant time difference. If you're on the East Coast (EST), try calling between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, which will be morning time in China. West Coast callers (PST) can call between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. For UK callers, early morning calls work best.

Standard business hours in China are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.

China uses the Chinese Yuan (¥) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +86. Official languages include Mandarin Chinese.