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Nestled in the eastern reaches of Sichuan Province, Guang'an occupies a strategic position within the Sichuan Basin, approximately 150 kilometres east of the provincial capital Chengdu. The city's coordinates at 30.4564°N, 106.6326°E place it within a transitional zone between the basin's central plains and the eastern hilly regions, with an average elevation around 300 metres above sea level. This terrain creates a distinctive urban character where Guang'an's urban core blends with surrounding agricultural landscapes, primarily dedicated to rice cultivation and vegetable farming. The city lies near the confluence of the Qujiang and Jialing rivers, tributaries of the mighty Yangtze, which flows approximately 50 kilometres to the south. This proximity to water bodies historically supported transportation and agriculture but now contributes to humidity patterns affecting pollution dispersion. Guang'an's location within the eastern Sichuan urban corridor places it downstream from Chongqing's industrial belt, exposing it to regional pollution transport. The city's own pollution sources include general urban emissions from transportation, residential heating, and small-scale manufacturing typical of developing Chinese cities. The surrounding hills create a partial topographic bowl effect, particularly noticeable during stable atmospheric conditions when pollutants accumulate rather than disperse. The urban-rural gradient shows decreasing pollution levels moving outward from the city centre toward the agricultural periphery, though regional haze events can blanket the entire area uniformly.

Guang'an experiences distinct seasonal pollution patterns shaped by the East Asian monsoon system and local meteorological conditions. During winter (December-February), cold, stable atmospheric conditions frequently lead to temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, creating persistent haze episodes. These months typically see the highest pollution concentrations, making them least favourable for outdoor activities, especially for sensitive groups like children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions who should limit prolonged exposure. Spring (March-May) brings transitional weather with increasing rainfall that helps wash pollutants from the atmosphere, though occasional dust transport from northern regions can temporarily degrade air quality. The summer monsoon (June-August) delivers the cleanest air as southeasterly winds from the Pacific Ocean disperse local emissions while frequent precipitation provides natural cleansing. However, high temperatures can accelerate photochemical reactions that generate ground-level ozone during sunny periods. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality that gradually deteriorates as monsoon winds retreat and atmospheric stability increases. Throughout the year, calm wind conditions and radiation fog—common in the Sichuan Basin—can exacerbate pollution episodes regardless of season. For health protection, sensitive groups should monitor daily air quality reports, use air purifiers indoors during pollution episodes, and schedule outdoor activities for midday when atmospheric mixing is typically greatest.