Time Difference Between China and Major Countries

Time is important, and it is even more important for cross-border travel. In order to help you better plan your trip, this article will provide you with the time difference between China and major countries in the world.

What is China Standard Time (CST)?

China Standard Time (CST) is the official time standard of the People’s Republic of China, using the Eastern Time Zone (UTC+8) as the national unified time

What time is China Now?

Time Difference Between China and Major Countries

Knowing the time differences between China and your home country can help you manage flight schedules, accommodation check-ins, and even communication with family or colleagues.

China vs. the United States

• Eastern Time (ET): China is 12 to 13 hours ahead, depending on daylight savings. During standard time, when the U.S. is on ET (UTC-5), the difference is 13 hours. When the U.S. is on daylight saving (UTC-4), the gap narrows to 12 hours.
• Central Time (CT): China is 13 to 14 hours ahead. During U.S. daylight saving, the time gap is 13 hours, and during standard time, it increases to 14 hours.
• Pacific Time (PT): China is 15 to 16 hours ahead. With daylight saving, the difference is 15 hours; without it, the gap is 16 hours.

China vs. Canada

Canada spans multiple time zones, just like the U.S. The time difference with China varies accordingly.

• Eastern Canada (ET): Same time difference as the U.S. Eastern Time—12 to 13 hours ahead.
• Western Canada (PT): Similar to U.S. Pacific Time, China is 15 to 16 hours ahead of Western Canada.

China vs. the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or British Summer Time (BST) during daylight saving.

• GMT: China is 8 hours ahead of the UK in the winter when the UK is on GMT (UTC+0).
• BST: In the summer, China is 7 hours ahead when the UK moves to BST (UTC+1).

China vs. Europe

European countries follow Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST).

• CET: China is 7 hours ahead of countries like France, Germany, and Italy during the winter (UTC+1).
• CEST: In the summer, when daylight saving is active, China is 6 hours ahead (UTC+2).

China vs. Australia

Australia has several time zones, with some states observing daylight saving time.

• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): China is 2 hours behind, but when Australia switches to daylight saving (AEDT), the difference increases to 3 hours.
• Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): China is the same time as Western Australia (UTC+8), making it easy for travelers from Perth.

China vs. Japan

Japan and China share a very similar time zone, but Japan follows Japan Standard Time (JST), which is also UTC+9.

• JST: China is 1 hour behind Japan.

China vs. India

India follows Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30.

• IST: China is 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India, a difference that remains constant throughout the year.

Importance of time zones for tourists

Understanding jet lag can help you avoid missing important flights or events while traveling.

How to manage time zone differences

1. Use a world clock on your phone

2. If your travel destination has a large time difference with your current area, you can adjust your schedule a few days before your trip to avoid a large jet lag reaction.

Written in the end:

Knowing the time in China can help you better plan your trip, please refer to this guide at any time to always stay in sync when planning your next Chinese adventure.