To address key gaps in data availability and homogeneity with regard to sunshine duration, we compiled raw data and made a homogenization protocol to produce a homogenized daily observational dataset of sunshine duration from 1961 to 2022 in China. The dataset avoids a sharp drop in zero-value frequency after 2019 as caused by the instrument upgrade but is also more continuous for various periods. This dataset is crucial for accurately assessing dimming and brightening and for supporting other applications.