Transit Desk

Crossing brief

How far is it from United States to China?

Distance
It is about 11,147 km (6,926 mi) from United States to China as the crow flies — roughly 15 h 22 min by non-stop flight.

Washington, D.C. to Beijing

United States China
Distance
11,147 km
In miles
6,926 mi
Flight time
15 h 22 min
Time change
12 h east

Distance is the great-circle distance between the capitals (Washington, D.C. and Beijing); flight time is an estimate for a non-stop route at cruising speed. Real schedules vary with routing, winds and connections.

This is a ultra-long-haul route: among the 59 countries we cover, China is the #44 closest to United States, making it one of the more distant destinations.

Crossing from United States to China

The practical differences you will notice on this specific trip.

Time on arrivalYou fly east and lose 12 h. On arrival your body clock reads 12 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to.
PowerPack a plug adapter — China uses Type C/I sockets your United States plugs do not fit. Voltage changes from 120V to 220V, so check single-voltage devices.
Money1 USD = 6.789 CNY — exchange US Dollar for Chinese Yuan before or on arrival.

Common questions

How far is United States from China?

About 11,147 km (6,926 miles) in a straight line between the two capitals.

How long is the flight from United States to China?

A non-stop flight takes roughly 15 h 22 min, though actual times depend on the exact airports and routing.

Will I be jet-lagged flying to China?

You fly east and lose 12 h. On arrival your body clock reads 12 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to.

Updated July 2, 2026