Beijing Time has been used as the national standard time across China although China is a large country. Beijing Time is eight hours earlier than the Greenwich Time.
Government offices run on weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm, while employees of other businesses usually start working at 9:00am.
Banks are open from: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and close one hour earlier on weekends.
Department stores in big cities generally open at 10:00 am and close at 9:30 pm or later.
Retail shops, restaurants, post offices, most bank outlets and recreational facilities are open seven days a week.
A majority of the restaurants open from 6:00 am till late at night.
