Shabbat Times in Guangzhou

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, begins at sunset on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday. In Guangzhou, candle lighting is performed 18 minutes before sunset, following local communal custom. Havdalah, the ceremony that concludes Shabbat, is recited after nightfall (tzait haKochavim, when three medium-sized stars are visible). We display the 72-minute opinion by default; the 8.5° (GRA) opinion corresponds to approximately 36 minutes after sunset at equinox, and 16.1° (Rabbeinu Tam) to approximately 72 minutes.

The weekly Torah portion (Parashat HaShavua) this week is Bereshis, read in synagogues across Guangzhou on Shabbat morning.

The blessing recited when lighting Shabbat candles (Hadlakat Nerot) is one of the most cherished rituals welcoming the Sabbath. It is traditionally recited after lighting the candles, waving the hands over the flames in a welcoming gesture, and covering the eyes — so that the blessing precedes the act of enjoying the light.

In Guangzhou, candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset — at 17:49 this week. The minimum is one candle, though many families light two (representing “Shamor” and “Zachor”, the two words used in the Torah to command Shabbat observance), and some add a candle for each member of the household. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 263.

Chabad of Guangzhou serves the city's Jewish residents and — several times a year — waves of international buyers arriving for the Canton Fair. During the fair, Shabbat and afternoon minyanim can draw well over a hundred participants, making Guangzhou one of the busiest points on China's Jewish map during trade season.

Outside fair periods, the center hosts regular Shabbat services and meals, and kosher food can be arranged with advance notice. A further Chabad center operates nearby in Foshan.

• Chabad of Guangzhou — Shabbat services and meals year-round
• Large minyanim during the Canton Fair trade seasons
• Kosher food available with advance notice
• Neighboring Chabad center in Foshan

Planning a Shabbat in Guangzhou? Check the full-year Shabbat schedule for Guangzhou and the daily Zmanim. Community details above reflect publicly listed centers and may change — contact the centers directly for current schedules and kosher arrangements.