The time series of sunspot number and the precipitation in the north-central China (108 degrees similar to 115 degrees E, 33 degrees similar to 41 degrees N) over the past 500 years (1470-2002) are investigated, through periodicity analysis, cross wavelet transform and ensemble empirical mode decomposition analysis. The results are as follows: the solar activity periods are determined in the precipitation time series of weak statistical significance, but are found in decomposed components of the series with statistically significance; the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is determined to significantly exist in the time series, and its action on precipitation is opposite to the solar activity; the sun is inferred to act on precipitation in two ways, with one lagging the other by half of the solar activity period. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.