Xiamen is situated on the southeast coast of Fujian Province, and planted smack in the mouth of the Jiulong(Nine Dragons)River, so in ancient times she was called Xia Men(Amoi), or "lower gate (to the sea)." Inevitably, Xiamen became a haven for pirates and merchants (roughly the same occupation). Eventually the name was amended to the present Xia Men, or "Mansion Gate," which also means "Gate to China". Xiamen is the ancestral home of millions of Chinese now living in other parts of the world. Ever since China started implementing its economic reform, Xiamen's economy has been booming. Today, Xiamen is one of the cleanest, most well run and most pleasant cities in China.