Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in China runs from 06:12 to 06:48 in the morning (36 min) and from 17:18 to 17:54 in the evening (36 min), in local time (based on Beijing). Blue hour follows, from 18:10 to 18:31.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's full daylight now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 05:34 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:55 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 06:12 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 06:48 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 12:03 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 17:18 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 17:54 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 18:10 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 18:31 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 06:12 – 06:48 | 17:18 – 17:54 | 05:34 – 05:55 | 18:10 – 18:31 | 36 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 06:13 – 06:49 | 17:16 – 17:52 | 05:35 – 05:56 | 18:09 – 18:30 | 36 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 06:14 – 06:50 | 17:15 – 17:51 | 05:36 – 05:57 | 18:07 – 18:28 | 36 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 06:15 – 06:51 | 17:13 – 17:49 | 05:37 – 05:58 | 18:06 – 18:26 | 36 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 06:16 – 06:52 | 17:11 – 17:47 | 05:38 – 05:59 | 18:04 – 18:25 | 36 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 06:17 – 06:53 | 17:10 – 17:46 | 05:39 – 06:00 | 18:02 – 18:23 | 36 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 06:18 – 06:54 | 17:08 – 17:44 | 05:40 – 06:01 | 18:01 – 18:22 | 36 min |
How long golden hour lasts in China through the year
At 39.90° N, 116.41° E, the evening golden hour is longest in December (43 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (36 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 36 minutes, which is about 11.4° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:34 | 42 min | 42 min | 17:13 |
| February | 07:07 | 38 min | 38 min | 17:49 |
| March | 06:26 | 36 min | 36 min | 18:20 |
| April | 05:37 | 36 min | 36 min | 18:52 |
| May | 04:59 | 39 min | 39 min | 19:22 |
| June | 04:45 | 41 min | 41 min | 19:44 |
| July | 04:58 | 40 min | 40 min | 19:42 |
| August | 05:25 | 37 min | 37 min | 19:11 |
| September | 05:54 | 36 min | 36 min | 18:23 |
| October | 06:24 | 37 min | 37 min | 17:35 |
| November | 06:58 | 40 min | 40 min | 16:58 |
| December | 07:28 | 43 min | 43 min | 16:50 |
Making the most of golden hour in China today
- Evening: be in position by 16:53, 25 minutes before the window opens at 17:18. Sunset is at 17:54, and blue hour keeps going until 18:31.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (06:12) and lasts until 06:48.
- Avoid solar noon (12:03), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Beijing (39.90° N, 116.41° E) and shown in the local time zone (Asia/Shanghai, UTC+8). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in China differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in China
- Current time in China
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 39.90° N, 116.41° E