Yuanping

Yuanping is a county-level city under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Xinzhou, in north-central Shanxi Province, China.

History
The territory of present-day Yuanping was held by Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Under the Qin dynasty, it was part of Taiyuan Commandary. It became Yuanping County in 114BC under Emperor Wu of the Han. It became Xinxing County in Jian'an 15 during the Eastern Han. Three years later, its name was restored as Yuanping County, but it was moved to Yanmen Commandery.

Geography
Yuanping is located nearly due north of Taiyuan, the provincial capital.

Climate
Yuanping has a monsoon-influenced, continental semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with cold and very dry winters, and hot, humid summers. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −7.0 °C in January to 23.7 °C in July, and the annual mean is 9.55 °C. Nearly half of the 412 mm of precipitation occurs in July and August alone. Due to the high elevation and dry climate, the diurnal temperature variation easily exceeds 15 C-change in winter and spring. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 50% in July to 62% in four months, and the average annual total is 2,585 hours.

Transportation
The city lies on the G55 Erenhot–Guangzhou Expressway. Yuanping is also at the junction of the Beijing–Yuanping Railway and the Datong–Puzhou Railway.