Current Time in Shanghai
Shanghai · China Standard Time (CST) · UTC+8 · No Daylight Saving Time
Current Time in Other Cities
| City | Current Time |
|---|---|
| Beijing | --:-- -- |
| Hong Kong | --:-- -- |
| Singapore | --:-- -- |
| Tokyo | --:-- -- |
| London | --:-- -- |
About Shanghai's Time Zone
Quick answer: Shanghai uses China Standard Time (CST) · UTC+8 year-round · no daylight saving. The live clock above is the safest answer when your meeting, flight, or deadline depends on the exact local time.
Shanghai uses China Standard Time (CST) · UTC+8 · No Daylight Saving Time. If you are checking the time for a call, trip, launch, or support handoff, the live clock is safer than a memorized offset because it reflects the exact current rule for Asia/Shanghai.
Shanghai time is a major reference for China finance, shipping, manufacturing, supply chains, product launches, and calls with Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, and New York.
Shanghai does not observe daylight saving time. It stays on China Standard Time all year, so seasonal changes in meeting gaps come from Europe or North America.
Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and mainland China official schedules use Asia/Shanghai. Shanghai time and Beijing time match.
Data point: Shanghai's IANA timezone identifier is Asia/Shanghai. Use that identifier in code, calendars, and scheduling tools instead of relying only on an abbreviation. IANA Time Zone Database
Shanghai Time vs Other Major Cities
These are the city comparisons people usually need with Shanghai. The table gives the pattern; the live clocks above show the current local time right now.
Best Times to Call Shanghai
Start with Shanghai's normal working day, then check the other city's clock before choosing a slot. The most common mistake is getting the hour right but missing the date when the conversion crosses midnight.
For recurring meetings, test the same local time once in January and once in July. If the answer moves by an hour, daylight saving is involved and the invite needs explicit timezone labels.
For one-off work such as flights, interviews, webinars, or launch deadlines, write both local times in the message. A line like "10:00 AM Shanghai time / converted local time" gives everyone a second chance to catch a timezone mistake.
| Scenario | Useful window | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore to Shanghai | 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Singapore | Same local clock |
| Tokyo to Shanghai | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM JST | Shanghai is one hour behind Tokyo |
| London to Shanghai | 8:00-10:00 AM London | Late afternoon in Shanghai |
| New York to Shanghai | 7:00-9:00 PM New York | Next morning in Shanghai |
For a live overlap finder, use the meeting scheduler or convert an exact time with the time zone converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What timezone is Shanghai in?
Shanghai uses China Standard Time. The standard abbreviation is CST, and the IANA timezone identifier is Asia/Shanghai.
Does Shanghai observe daylight saving time?
No. Shanghai does not observe daylight saving time. The local clock stays on CST (UTC+8) all year.
What is the UTC offset for Shanghai?
Shanghai stays on UTC+8 year-round.
What is the IANA timezone for Shanghai?
The IANA timezone identifier for Shanghai is Asia/Shanghai.
What is the best way to schedule a meeting with Shanghai?
Use the live clock above, then convert the exact meeting date with the time zone converter. For recurring meetings, check both winter and summer so DST changes do not quietly move one side by an hour.