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Yonghetun is situated in Beijing's Chaoyang District, positioned at the northeastern edge of Beijing's urban core where the city transitions into suburban and rural landscapes. At coordinates 39.9131°N, 116.6458°E, this area lies approximately 40-50 meters above sea level on the North China Plain, characterized by flat terrain with minimal topographic relief. Geographically, Yonghetun occupies a critical position within Beijing's urban-rural gradient—immediately northeast of the city center, it serves as a transitional zone between dense urban development and the agricultural hinterlands of Hebei Province. The area is approximately 15 kilometers from Beijing's central business district and lies within the broader Jing-Jin-Ji metropolitan region, China's most significant industrial and economic corridor. Proximity to major transportation arteries like the Beijing Capital Airport Expressway and the Fifth Ring Road contributes to local pollution through vehicular emissions. While not directly adjacent to major water bodies, the area is part of Beijing's watershed that eventually drains toward the Hai River basin. The flat topography of the North China Plain creates poor natural ventilation, allowing pollutants to accumulate rather than disperse. Surrounding landscapes include mixed residential-commercial development to the west and southwest, with increasing agricultural and light industrial zones extending northeastward toward Shunyi and Tongzhou districts. This geographic position places Yonghetun downwind of Beijing's urban pollution plume during prevailing northwesterly winds in winter, while summer southeasterlies can bring regional agricultural burning and industrial emissions from Hebei Province.

Yonghetun experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns characteristic of Beijing's North China Plain location. Winter (December-February) brings the most severe pollution episodes, with January typically being the peak month. Cold, stable atmospheric conditions create frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, compounded by increased coal burning for heating across northern China. Northerly winds occasionally provide relief but more often transport industrial emissions from Hebei's steel and manufacturing belt. Spring (March-May) sees gradual improvement as temperatures rise and atmospheric mixing increases, though March and April can experience severe pollution from seasonal dust storms originating in the Gobi Desert, carried by strong northwesterly winds. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air, particularly in July and August, when the East Asian monsoon brings southeasterly winds from the ocean, increased precipitation that scrubs pollutants from the air, and better vertical mixing. However, high humidity can combine with emissions to create ground-level ozone on hot days. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality in September but deteriorates through October and November as heating season commences, atmospheric stability increases, and wind patterns shift. Sensitive groups including children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity during winter pollution episodes and spring dust events, while summer provides the safest window for extended outdoor exposure. Monitoring local air quality forecasts is essential year-round.