Current Time in Beijing, China
北京
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
中国
Dialling: +86
City Details
Beijing
北京
Lat: 39.9042° N
Long: 116.4074° E
Population: 21,540,000
Time Zone
Asia/Shanghai
GMT+8
Public Holidays
Dragon Boat Festival
Jun 19in 30dMid-Autumn Festival
Sep 25in 128dNational Day
Oct 1in 134d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Beijing is China's capital and political heart, with 21.8 million permanent residents as of 2024. It holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the most of any city in the world — and has been a major political centre for over 800 years, serving as capital under the Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties and the modern People's Republic.
Administrative Region
Beijing Municipality (direct-controlled)
CN-BJ
Local Currency
¥
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.cn
- ISO CodeCN-BJ
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Human habitation in the Beijing area dates back 500,000 years to Peking Man. The city became a regional capital during the Warring States period around 350 BCE. The permanent capital city known as Dadu was established by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in 1267. The Ming Dynasty rebuilt and renamed it Beijing — Northern Capital — in 1403, constructing the Forbidden City between 1406 and 1420.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- /Great Wall of China — Mutianyu and Badaling sections
- /Tiananmen Square and the National Museum of China
- /Temple of Heaven
- /Summer Palace and Kunming Lake
🎒 Visitor Tip
The Forbidden City requires advance online booking and is closed on Mondays. Book early — daily visitor numbers are capped. Hire a guide for the Great Wall rather than going alone; Mutianyu is the best-preserved and least crowded section. Keep a VPN ready before you arrive — many Western apps and sites are blocked in China.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Mountains cover 62% of the municipality to the north and west, including the Jundu and Xishan ranges. The urban core sits on flat North China Plain at 40–60m elevation. The municipality's highest point is Mount Dongling at 2,303m on the Hebei border. The Great Wall follows the northern ridge line.
Climate Stats
Humid continental / monsoonal (Köppen Dwa)
Avg Summer
26°C
Avg Winter
-3°C
Annual Rainfall
570 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Beijing
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Beijing
What timezone is Beijing in?↓
Beijing is in the Asia/Shanghai time zone (Asia/Shanghai), currently UTCGMT+8.
Does China observe daylight saving time?↓
No. China does not observe daylight saving time. Beijing stays on CST (UTCGMT+8) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is CST?↓
CST stands for Asia/Shanghai. It is UTCGMT+8 and is the standard time used in China.
How many hours ahead is Beijing compared to London?↓
Beijing is 8 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 7 hours.
What is the time difference between Beijing and New York?↓
Beijing is 13 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Beijing?↓
The time displayed for Beijing is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+8 mean for Beijing?↓
UTCGMT+8 means Beijing is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Beijing?↓
Standard business hours in Beijing are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST (UTCGMT+8). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the China national calendar.
What is the best time to call Beijing from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Beijing is typically early morning in London (8–10 AM GMT), which corresponds to late afternoon or evening in Beijing. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.