Current Time in Chongqing, China
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
中国
Dialling: +86
City Details
Chongqing
重庆
Lat: 29.563° N
Long: 106.5516° E
Population: 31,000,000
Time Zone
Asia/Shanghai
GMT+8
Public Holidays in China
Labour Day
劳动节
Dragon Boat Festival
端午节
Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋节
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Chongqing
Business Hours in Chongqing
Sunrise & Sunset in Chongqing Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Chongqing, China
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Chongqing Tonight
Overview
Chongqing is one of China's four direct-controlled municipalities and the largest city proper in the world by administrative area and registered population, with over 32 million residents in the municipality and an urban population of 23 million as of 2024. It served as China's wartime capital from 1938 to 1945 under Chiang Kai-shek. Its dramatic topography of mountains, rivers and fog has made it a popular backdrop in Chinese cinema — it inspired some scenes in Hayao Miyazaki's animated films.
Administrative Region
Chongqing Municipality (direct-controlled)
CN-CQ
Local Currency
¥
Metadata
- Web Domain.cn
- ISO CodeCN-CQ
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Human habitation in the Three Gorges area dates back 2 million years. The Kingdom of Ba established a capital here around 316 BCE before Qin annexed it. During WWII, Chongqing became the wartime capital of the Republic of China from 1938, enduring years of Japanese bombing. On 14 March 1997, Chongqing was separated from Sichuan Province to become a direct-controlled municipality — a political decision to drive development in western China.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •Hongya Cave — stilted riverside commercial complex
- •Ciqikou Ancient Town — Song Dynasty living heritage
- •Yangtze River and Jialing River cable cars
- •Dazu Rock Carvings (UNESCO, 90km east)
- •Three Gorges Yangtze River cruise (downstream to Yichang)
🎒 Visitor Tip
Chongqing is unlike any other Chinese city — it is dramatically hilly, fog-shrouded and intense. The Ciqikou Ancient Town and Hongya Cave are the most photogenic areas. The city is famous for its spicy hot pot — distinctly more numbing (má là) than Chengdu's. Take the Yangtze River cable car for skyline views. A Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges starts here — a 3–4 day downstream journey to Yichang is one of China's great travel experiences.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Built at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers in the Sichuan Basin, at approximately 200–400m elevation in the urban core. The city's defining characteristic is extreme topographic relief — steep cliffs, river gorges and mountain ridges force buildings to be constructed on slopes, with the city using a cable car network alongside roads and tunnels. The municipality extends east into the dramatic Three Gorges region.
Climate Stats
Humid subtropical monsoon — one of China's 'Three Furnaces' (Köppen Cfa/Cwa)
Avg Summer
33°C
Avg Winter
8°C
Annual Rainfall
1100 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Chongqing
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Chongqing
What timezone is Chongqing in?↓
Chongqing 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. Chongqing stays on Shanghai (UTCGMT+8) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is Shanghai?↓
Shanghai stands for Asia/Shanghai. It is UTCGMT+8 and is the standard time used in China.
How many hours ahead is Chongqing compared to London?↓
Chongqing 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 Chongqing and New York?↓
Chongqing 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 Chongqing?↓
The time displayed for Chongqing 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 Chongqing?↓
UTCGMT+8 means Chongqing is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Chongqing?↓
Standard business hours in Chongqing are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Shanghai (UTCGMT+8). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the China national calendar.
What is the best time to call Chongqing from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Chongqing is typically early morning in London (8–10 AM GMT), which corresponds to late afternoon or evening in Chongqing. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.