Current Time in China

Despite its vast size, China uses a single time zone (CST/UTC+8) across the entire country. This means western regions like Xinjiang experience late sunrises. China does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

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.

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.