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Time in China
Asia Time Zones
What Time Is It in China Right Now With Seconds
China follows China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8) throughout the entire year. The country, located in East Asia, does not observe Daylight Saving Time and uses a single permanent national time zone across all provinces, ensuring a stable current-time format from Beijing to Shanghai.
Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu remain synchronized year-round, supporting consistent schedules for business, government, travel, and communication.
Current time zone info for China
IANA Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
UTC Offset: UTC +8 hours
Time Format: 24-hour clock
DST Observed: NO
Time Zone Abbreviation: CST (China Standard Time)
China’s time zone is stable and aligns with several East and Southeast Asian regions that also use UTC +8 as a standardized offset.
China time zone(s)
China uses a single national time zone across the country.
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| China Standard Time (CST) | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu | UTC +8 |
The official IANA identifier for China is Asia/Shanghai.
Daylight Saving Time in China
China does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). Although DST was tested in the 1980s and 1990s, it has been permanently discontinued.
The country now remains on a fixed offset of UTC +8 year-round.
This unified system ensures consistency and avoids seasonal time confusion across all regions.
Major cities in China & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | CST | UTC +8 |
| Shanghai | CST | UTC +8 |
| Guangzhou | CST | UTC +8 |
| Shenzhen | CST | UTC +8 |
| Chengdu | CST | UTC +8 |
Every major city in China follows the same standard time.
Brief info for China time
Number of time zones: 1 (nationwide)
Capital city: Beijing
Default time: China Standard Time (CST)
Daylight Saving Time: Not observed
IANA Time Zone ID: Asia/Shanghai
Standard UTC offset: +8 hours
DST UTC offset: Not applicable
Time format: 24-hour system
Neighbouring countries with same time: Mongolia (parts), Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Western Australia region
Regional differences: None — uniform time across China
For verified background, see “Time in China — Wikipedia.”
Pros and Cons
Pros
Single national time — easy for nationwide coordination.
No DST changes — schedules remain consistent throughout the year.
UTC +8 offset — widely used across East Asia and simplifies international trade.
Ideal for major coastal economic zones — aligns with regional partners.
24-hour clock used officially across multiple sectors.
Cons
No daylight adjustment during northern region summers.
Western China experiences large sunrise/sunset differences due to a single national time zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we know about China time zone?
The country uses China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8) throughout the year.
Does China observe Daylight Saving Time System?
No. The country does not use DST and maintains UTC+8 permanently.
What is China’s official time zone?
The country’s official time zone is China Standard Time (CST), with a UTC+8 offset.
Do you know how many time zones China has?
China has one national time zone, which is used across all cities.
Do neighbouring countries share the same time as China?
Yes. Mongolia (some areas), Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and parts of Australia share the UTC+8 offset, though others differ.
What do we know about China’s IANA time zone ID?
IANA time zone ID for China is Asia/Shanghai.
How can I check the time difference between China and another country?
Use the time converter to compare China’s time (UTC+8) with other global time zones.