The moment of grief was observed across the vast country of 1.3 billion people at 2:28 p.m., exactly a week after the 7.9 magnitude quake that ravaged the southwestern province of Sichuan.
"I think the three minutes was important because it means that everyone, from the central government down to every individual, is thinking of us. Because this is worse than a war," said He Ling, a policeman in Pingtong town, which was almost totally wrecked by the earthquake.
Even as the rescuers stopped work, another aftershock rattled the area and set off a small landslide from a nearby cliff.
The army and the medics lined up with bowed heads and a huge Chinese flag was waved from a large pile of rubble.
The death toll from the quake was raised to more than 34,000 on Monday, but the figure could rise dramatically as the Communist Party chief in Sichuan said nearly 30,000 were missing. A further 5,000 are believed still buried under the rubble.
The government put direct economic losses in Sichuan alone at about 67 billion yuan (4.9 billion pounds).
Air raid sirens, as well as car, train and ship horns wailed around the country to mark the one-week anniversary. Flags flew at half mast and cinemas were ordered to stop showing films for the mourning period.
In Beichuan, another town devastated by the quake, several hundred rescuers bowed their heads and laid wreaths made from twigs and scrap paper pulled from the debris.
"We're all feeling very heavy hearted. So many people weren't saved," a soldier said, standing by the remains of a wrecked school.
In Beijing, the country's top leaders, led by President Hu Jintao, wore white flowers on their chests and bowed in silence.
Nearby, in Tiananmen Square -- where student-led pro-democracy protests were crushed by the army in 1989 -- the sombre mood quickly turned into a vocal show of patriotism. About 1,000 flag-waving people marched in the vast square, chanting "Go China Go" and "Rebuild Sichuan", and singing the national anthem.
SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS
A senior government official said rescuers had reached the remotest areas of the province by Monday. Premier Wen Jiabao ordered troops to enter the last villages within 24 hours.
