Guyuan sits at around 1,700 metres elevation on the Loess Plateau, which gives it a climate considerably more temperate than the Yellow River plain further north. Summers are warm but not oppressive — July and August temperatures reach the mid-20s Celsius — and the higher altitude means evenings are cool even in peak summer.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for visiting. April and May bring the first greenery to the hills. Autumn, from September through October, turns the forests on Liupan Mountain and the Xumi Mountain valleys into warm reds and yellows. Winter is cold, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing overnight, and occasional snowfall makes the grotto site difficult to access.
The Hui festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha bring the city to life with open-air celebrations and communal meals. Timing a visit around these occasions gives a vivid window into the community's life, though accommodation and transport should be booked well in advance.