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Nestled along the coast of the Bohai Sea in Liaoning Province, Xingcheng occupies a strategic position within Northeast China's industrial heartland. This historic city, with its population of approximately 490,300, sits at coordinates 40.6167°N, 120.7333°E, where the Liaodong Peninsula meets the sea. The terrain transitions from coastal plains to gentle hills inland, with an average elevation around 20-50 meters above sea level, creating a subtle but influential topography for air movement. Xingcheng's urban character blends ancient walled city heritage with modern development, positioned along the vital Shenyang-Dalian economic corridor that connects major industrial centers. Proximity to the Bohai Sea provides some maritime influence, but this is tempered by the city's location within the broader Northeast China Plain, where pollution from heavy industries in nearby cities like Jinzhou and Huludao can drift inland. The urban-rural gradient shows concentrated development along the coast, with agricultural zones extending westward where crop burning occasionally contributes to regional haze. This coastal-industrial interface creates a complex air quality dynamic where sea breezes can disperse pollutants but also trap them when atmospheric conditions stagnate, particularly during temperature inversions that frequently occur in this basin-like region. The city's position downwind of major industrial belts means it receives transported pollution alongside its own urban emissions from transportation, heating, and general urban activities.

Xingcheng's air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by its coastal location and Northeast Asian monsoon climate. Winter (December-February) brings the worst pollution as coal-fired heating systems operate at full capacity, combining with frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground. Cold, stagnant air masses from Siberia settle over the region, creating persistent haze that can last for days, making these months particularly challenging for outdoor activities. Spring (March-May) sees gradual improvement as heating demand decreases, though dust storms from the Gobi Desert occasionally sweep through, causing short-term particulate spikes. The transitional weather brings variable winds that sometimes disperse pollutants but can also recirculate them. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as the East Asian monsoon brings southeasterly winds from the Bohai Sea, effectively ventilating the region. Higher temperatures reduce heating emissions, and frequent rainfall helps wash pollutants from the atmosphere. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality but deteriorates as temperatures drop and heating systems restart, with October often marking the transition to winter pollution patterns. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during winter months and on days following agricultural burning in surrounding areas. Morning hours often see higher pollution concentrations due to overnight accumulation, making afternoon typically better for outdoor activities during problematic seasons.