Xiamen, abbreviated as “Xia” or “Lu,” is a sub-provincial city, a city specifically designated in the state plan, and a large city under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province, China. Located along the southeast coast of Fujian Province, Xiamen lies between latitudes 24°23’ to 24°54’ N and longitudes 117°53’ to 118°26’ E. To the east, it faces the islands of Greater and Lesser Kinmen; to the south, it is separated by the sea from Longhai District of Zhangzhou. On land, it borders Nan’an City and Anxi County of Quanzhou, as well as Changtai and Longhai districts of Zhangzhou. Xiamen’s jurisdiction covers mainland areas along the Xiamen Bay, as well as Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island, and other smaller islands, with a total area of 1,700.61 square kilometers. As of the end of 2023, Xiamen governs six districts with a permanent population of 5.327 million people, and the local language is the Southern Min dialect. The city government is located at 61 Hubin North Road, Siming District.

Xiamen experiences a southern subtropical maritime monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures and abundant rainfall, with no severe winters or scorching summers. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, with mid- and low-lying mountains in the northwest. Moving southeast, the landscape transitions through high hills, low hills, terraces, coastal plains, and tidal flats. The southern part of the city is home to Xiamen Island and Gulangyu Island. In ancient times, Xiamen Island was a habitat for egrets, earning it the nickname “Egret Island.” During the Western Jin Dynasty, Tong’an County was established, and in 1394, the 27th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Xiamen City was built. Xiamen became a city in 1935, was designated a special economic zone in 1980, became a city specifically designated in the state plan in 1988, and was elevated to sub-provincial status in 1994.