Hong Kong Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in Asia's World City
Whether you're coordinating with Hong Kong bankers, timing a call with HKEX traders, or planning to explore Victoria Harbour at sunset — understanding Hong Kong's time zone is essential for anyone doing business with one of Asia's most dynamic financial centers.
Hong Kong operates on Hong Kong Time (HKT), which is UTC+8 year-round. Unlike Western cities that shift clocks twice yearly, Hong Kong hasn't observed daylight saving time since 1979. This stability makes it a reliable anchor for international scheduling — the same time as Singapore, Beijing, and Perth.
But there's more to Hong Kong time than just "UTC+8." As a bridge between East and West, the city's unique position creates golden windows for global business — morning overlap with Australia, afternoon connection with Europe, and evening alignment with the Americas. Understanding these rhythms unlocks Hong Kong's true potential as your gateway to Asia.
⚡ Quick Facts: Hong Kong Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: HKT (UTC+8)
- • Full Name: Hong Kong Time
- • Daylight Saving: Not observed
- • DST Period: Year-round
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 22.3°N, 114.2°E
- • Region: Asia
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Banks, shops, malls, and markets
Best Time to Visit
Weather, festivals, and avoiding humidity
Remote Work Guide
Working with HK teams across time zones
24 Hours in Hong Kong
The city's rhythm from dim sum to nightlife
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities
Stock Market Hours
HKEX trading times for global investors
Public Holidays
CNY, Mid-Autumn, and what to expect
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, WiFi, and cost of living
Time Difference
HK time compared to NYC, London, Sydney
Travel Planning
Flight times, HKG tips, and getting around
Understanding Hong Kong Time
HKT: Rock-Solid Consistency
Hong Kong Time (HKT) is UTC+8 — always. While London shifts between GMT and BST, and New York toggles between EST and EDT, Hong Kong's clock never moves. This was a deliberate choice after 1979: the business community valued predictable scheduling over the marginal daylight benefits.
For international business, this means the time difference with Hong Kong changes when other cities adjust their clocks, not when Hong Kong does. Mark your calendar for the US and European DST transitions — that's when your Hong Kong time calculations shift.
HKEX: The Market with a Lunch Break
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) is unique among major world exchanges: it takes a lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM HKT. Trading sessions are 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. This midday pause reflects Hong Kong's dim sum culture — and creates interesting arbitrage opportunities when paired with continuous markets like the NYSE.
Hong Kong Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in HK |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| 🇦🇺 Sydney | +3 hours* | 3:00 PM |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Same time | 12:00 PM |
| 🇦🇪 Dubai | -4 hours | 8:00 AM |
| 🇬🇧 London | -8 hours* | 4:00 AM |
| 🇫🇷 Paris | -7 hours* | 5:00 AM |
| 🇺🇸 New York | -13 hours* | 11:00 PM (-1) |
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles | -16 hours* | 8:00 PM (-1) |
* Times shown are approximate and may vary during daylight saving transitions. See detailed time differences →
Need to schedule a meeting with Hong Kong?
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🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with Hong Kong Time
🏢 For International Business
Hong Kong sits at the crossroads of global markets. For US-HK calls, early evening EST (7-9 PM) catches Hong Kong's morning. Europe-HK has excellent overlap: a 4 PM London call lands at midnight HK — but reverse it and 9 AM HK is 1 AM London. The sweet spot for US-Europe-Asia is challenging; consider async communication or rotating meeting times. Many global firms use Singapore and HK interchangeably given identical time zones.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from Europe? The 12-13 hour flight lands you 7-8 hours "into the future" — leave London at 10 PM, arrive HK around 5 PM next day. From the US West Coast, it's 15+ hours and a full day forward. Hong Kong's vibrant night markets and late dining (restaurants fill at 8-9 PM) actually help with jet lag adjustment. Check our Jet Lag Advisor for recovery strategies.
💼 For Remote Workers
Working remotely with a Hong Kong team from the West? European remote workers enjoy reasonable overlap — your afternoon is their late evening. US-based workers often adopt "Hong Kong hours" for key meetings, starting their day at 7-8 PM local time. Hong Kong's world-class coworking scene (WeWork, The Hive, Garage Society) offers 24/7 access for those juggling multiple time zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Hong Kong and New York right now?
Hong Kong is typically 13 hours ahead of New York during EST (November-March), and 12 hours ahead during EDT (March-November). When it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's 10:00 PM the same day in Hong Kong (EST) or 9:00 PM (EDT). Hong Kong does not observe daylight saving time, so the difference shifts when the US changes clocks.
Does Hong Kong observe daylight saving time?
No, Hong Kong has not observed daylight saving time since 1979. The city maintains UTC+8 (HKT - Hong Kong Time) year-round. This means the time difference with Western countries changes when they switch clocks, even though Hong Kong's time stays constant. This stability is valued by the financial sector for consistent trading schedules.
What time does the Hong Kong Stock Exchange open and close?
HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing) opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM HKT, Monday through Friday. Uniquely, HKEX has a lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM — one of the few major exchanges that still pauses midday. Pre-market session runs 9:00-9:30 AM. For London investors, that's 1:30 AM to 8:00 AM GMT (winter).
What is the best time to call Hong Kong from the UK?
The best time to call Hong Kong from the UK is between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM GMT, which reaches Hong Kong during their afternoon business hours (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM HKT). For evening calls, 5:00-7:00 PM GMT catches Hong Kong's morning (1:00-3:00 AM might work for night owls, but not recommended for business).
How many hours ahead is Hong Kong from London?
Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead of London during GMT (winter), and 7 hours ahead during BST (British Summer Time, March-October). When it's 12:00 PM in London, it's 8:00 PM in Hong Kong (GMT) or 7:00 PM (BST). This makes Hong Kong well-positioned for same-day business communication with Europe.
Is Hong Kong time the same as China time?
Yes, Hong Kong uses the same time as mainland China (UTC+8). Despite being a Special Administrative Region with its own systems, Hong Kong Time (HKT) is identical to China Standard Time (CST). This alignment facilitates business between Hong Kong and cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen — all operate on the same clock.
What time zone is Hong Kong in?
Hong Kong is in the Hong Kong Time zone (HKT), which is UTC+8. This is the same time zone as Beijing, Singapore, Perth, and Taipei. The entire region uses this single time zone, making it easy to coordinate across East Asia and Southeast Asia during business hours.
What are typical business hours in Hong Kong?
Standard Hong Kong business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. However, the finance sector often starts at 7:30-8:00 AM to overlap with European market close. Banks typically open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM). Restaurants serve dim sum from 7:00 AM, lunch 12:00-2:00 PM, and dinner from 6:30 PM onwards.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: