China uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone, abbreviated CST, which is UTC+8. It does not observe daylight saving time; the time is the same all year. China spans five geographic time zones but uses a single official time, Beijing Time. Use this page to check the exact current local time in China, with the date, UTC offset and time zone, updated in real time.

Official time zone: Asia/Shanghai (Asia)

Estimated population: 1,422,584,933 people.

Local fact: China spans five geographic time zones but uses a single official time, Beijing Time.

Offset from UTC—

Daylight saving time—

Compared to New York—

Frequently Asked Questions About the Time in China

What time is it in China right now?

The exact time in China, Asia, appears on the main clock at the top of this page and updates every second using the Asia/Shanghai time zone, with no need to reload.

What time zone does China use?

China (Asia) uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone from the IANA database, which corresponds to UTC+8. This is the reference that devices and servers use to calculate local time.

What is the time difference between China and New York?

The difference is calculated by comparing the Asia/Shanghai zone with New York (Eastern Time), so it updates automatically if either zone changes its clocks. The +HR and -HR tags on the cards show how many hours each place is ahead of or behind China.

Does China observe daylight saving time?

Does not observe daylight saving time; the time is the same all year. This page calculates the time with the Asia/Shanghai zone, so it always shows the current local time in China, including any seasonal clock change.

How do I compare the time in China with other cities?

In the Time Across the U.S. and World Times sections you can see the time in other places and how many hours they are ahead (+) or behind (-) China. If the calendar day is different, the date is shown, for example Sun Oct 18. Every card links to that place’s page.

Can I see the time in China in 12-hour or 24-hour format?

Yes. Use the 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour selector below the main clock; the change applies to every card and your preference is saved in your browser.