The territory of present-day Yuanping was held by Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history.

Three years later, its name was restored as Yuanping County, but it was moved to Yanmen Commandery.

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

Yuanping has a monsoon-influenced, continental semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with cold and very dry winters, and hot, humid summers.

Due to the high elevation and dry climate, the diurnal temperature variation easily exceeds 15 °C (27 °F) in winter and spring.