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Beijing Sunrise & Sunset: September 2026

Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data

In Beijing in September, sunrise averages 05:57 and sunset averages 18:24. Days are getting shorter through September at Beijing's latitude of 39.9°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.

Avg Sunrise

05:57

Avg Sunset

18:24

Avg Daylight

12h 29m

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AugustSeptember 2026October

Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: Beijing

DateDaySunriseSunsetDaylight
09/01Tue05:4318:4913h 06m
09/02Wed05:4418:4713h 03m
09/03Thu05:4418:4513h 01m
09/04Fri05:4518:4412h 58m
09/05Sat05:4618:4212h 56m
09/06Sun05:4718:4112h 53m
09/07Mon05:4818:3912h 51m
09/08Tue05:4918:3712h 48m
09/09Wed05:5018:3612h 46m
09/10Thu05:5118:3412h 43m
09/11Fri05:5218:3212h 41m
09/12Sat05:5318:3112h 38m
09/13Sun05:5418:2912h 35m
09/14Mon05:5518:2812h 33m
09/15Tue05:5618:2612h 30m
09/16Wed05:5718:2412h 28m
09/17Thu05:5718:2312h 25m
09/18Fri05:5818:2112h 22m
09/19Sat05:5918:1912h 20m
09/20Sun06:0018:1812h 17m
09/21Mon06:0118:1612h 15m
09/22Tue06:0218:1412h 12m
09/23Wed06:0318:1312h 09m
09/24Thu06:0418:1112h 07m
09/25Fri06:0518:0912h 04m
09/26Sat06:0618:0812h 02m
09/27Sun06:0718:0611h 59m
09/28Mon06:0818:0411h 56m
09/29Tue06:0918:0311h 54m
09/30Wed06:1018:0111h 51m

Daylight Hours Throughout the Year

September Sunrise & Sunset in Beijing: Complete Monthly Guide

In September 2026, Beijing has an average of 12h 29m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 05:43 at the start of the month to 06:10 at the end, while sunset shifts from 18:49 to 18:01.

September in Beijing brings shortening autumn days. Average sunrise in September is 05:57 and average sunset is 18:24. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in September

Day length in Beijing in September changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Beijing's latitude of 39.9°, the rate of day length change in September is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Beijing shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of September.

Golden Hour in Beijing in September

Golden hour in Beijing in September occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Septemberat Beijing's latitude of 39.9°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Beijing in September: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in September begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Beijing in September

Civil twilight in Beijing in September begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Beijing in September extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for September in Beijing

Shooting in Beijing in September requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in September:

  • Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
  • Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
  • Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In September, Beijing's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this September table for Beijing are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Beijing (39.9042°, 116.4074°) and the local timezone (Asia/Shanghai). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: September Sunrise & Sunset in Beijing

What is the average sunrise time in Beijing in September?

The average sunrise time in Beijing in September 2026 is approximately 05:57. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Beijing at latitude 39.90° and longitude 116.41°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 05:43 on the first of the month to 06:10 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Beijing get in September?

Beijing receives an average of 12h 29m of daylight per day in September 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 13h 06m on the first of the month to 11h 51m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Beijing in September?

The earliest sunrise in Beijing in September 2026 occurs on 2026-09-01 at 05:43. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-09-30 at 06:10.

What time is golden hour in Beijing in September?

Golden hour in Beijing in September occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (05:57 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (18:24 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is September a good time to photograph sunrise in Beijing?

September is a strong month for sunrise photography in Beijing. Autumn light has a distinctive warm quality, sunrise at 05:57 is at a comfortable time, and the lower sun angle produces extended golden hour periods compared to summer.

When does civil twilight start in Beijing in September?

Civil twilight in Beijing in September begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Beijing's latitude of 39.9°, civil twilight in September starts around 05:32 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.

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