Does China Change the Clocks? 🇨🇳
No — China does not change its clocks (last change: 1991) and stays on UTC+8 all year. China is usually 5 hours ahead of Bulgaria, but in 2026 the gap changes: 1 January – 29 March — 6 hours ahead; 25 October – 31 December — 6 hours ahead.
Clock change dates in China
| Time zone | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| BeijingBeijing · Asia/Shanghai | no change · UTC+8 | no change · UTC+8 |
Times are local: ⏩ forward 1 hour, ⏪ back 1 hour.
Time difference with Bulgaria in 2026
China is usually 5 hours ahead of Bulgaria, but in 2026 the gap changes: 1 January – 29 March — 6 hours ahead; 25 October – 31 December — 6 hours ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Does China change the clocks?
No. China does not observe daylight saving time — its last clock change was in 1991 — and stays on UTC+8 all year.
What is the time difference between Bulgaria and China?
China is usually 5 hours ahead of Bulgaria, but in 2026 the gap changes: 1 January – 29 March — 6 hours ahead; 25 October – 31 December — 6 hours ahead.
What time is it in China now?
See the "Current time in China" page for a live clock and the time difference with Bulgaria.