Time difference between London and Beijing
London is 8 hours behind Beijing for most of the year, but 7 hours in July.
Live time in London and Beijing
Why is the time different?
London and Beijing are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Beijing sees each new day first.In January London is on GMT and Beijing is on GMT+8. In July they are on GMT+1 and GMT+8.
- In 2026, the clocks in London go forward on March 29 and back on October 25.
- Beijing does not change its clocks, so it uses GMT+8 all year.
- From March 29 to October 24 (210 days) London is 7 hours behind Beijing.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in London and Beijing
What are children doing in the other city? (We use 8:30 am to 3 pm for school, and January clocks.)
- When school starts in London (8:30 am), it is 4:30 pm in Beijing, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
- When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 11 pm in Beijing, and children there are asleep.
- When children go to bed in London (8 pm), it is 4 am the next day in Beijing, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school finishes in Beijing (3 pm), it is 7 am in London, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started.
Fun fact: children in London are fast asleep when school starts in Beijing!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on London's clock. The top row shows London. The bottom row shows what is happening in Beijing at that very same time.
Best time to call
- In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 12 pm in London (4 pm to 8 pm in Beijing).
- In July: both cities are at work from 9 am to 10 am in London (4 pm to 5 pm in Beijing).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| London | Beijing | Call? |
|---|
London time to Beijing time
| London | Beijing (January) | Beijing (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 2 pm | 1 pm |
| 9 am | 5 pm | 4 pm |
| 12 pm | 8 pm | 7 pm |
| 3 pm | 11 pm | 10 pm |
| 6 pm | 2 am (next day) | 1 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 5 am (next day) | 4 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: London and Beijing
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about London and Beijing time
What is the time difference between London and Beijing?
In January, London is 8 hours behind Beijing. In July, London is 7 hours behind Beijing. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is London ahead of or behind Beijing?
London is behind Beijing in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Beijing when it is 12 noon in London?
In January it is 8 pm in Beijing. In July it is 7 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in London and Beijing?
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started. When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 11 pm in Beijing, and children there are asleep. Fun fact: children in London are fast asleep when school starts in Beijing!
What is the best time to call between London and Beijing?
In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 12 pm in London (4 pm to 8 pm in Beijing). In July: both cities are at work from 9 am to 10 am in London (4 pm to 5 pm in Beijing).
Does the time difference between London and Beijing change?
Yes. From March 29 to October 24 (210 days) London is 7 hours behind Beijing.