General Information » Facts & Figures » Social & Business Hours

The working week for businesses in Shanghai is Monday to Friday, although some operate on Saturdays as well. Offices generally work from 09:00 to 17:00. Government offices and foreign consulates may start at 08:30, closing for an hour for lunch. Some banks and post offices open on Saturdays, and main post office branches open as early as 07:00 and stay open until 19:00 or later. Meals in China are generally eaten earlier than in other countries, reflected in the opening times of most Shanghai restaurants. Lunch typically runs from 11:00-14:30 and dinner from 17:00-21:30. Restaurants in popular areas and in major hotels generally stay open later, often until 23:00 and some as late as 01:00. With its fast-paced lifestyle, people in Shanghai work hard and party hard too, particularly on weekends. The many bars and clubs across the city don’t get going until late into the evenings. Most close by 02:00, but several keep the action going until 04:00.