News
22 August 2005
Special Stamp Issue - "Mainland Scenery Series No. 4 - The Qiantang Bore"
The Postmaster General, Mr. Allan CHIANG, announced today that a new stamp sheetlet, the latest in the "Mainland Scenery Series", will be issued on 16 September 2005. Called "Mainland Scenery Series No. 4 - The Qiantang Bore", this is the fourth issue in the mainland scenery series.
The $10 stamp on the sheetlet captures the Haining Yanguan Rolling Tide below the Zhan'ao Pagoda. The bore-watchers and the location map are illustrated in ink strokes in the foreground with the legendary Iron Ox that guards the Qiantang River in the middle. The accompanying First Day Cover design uses an earthy shade of brown to enhance the visual impact of Rolling Tide in the Qiantang Bore.
"Our 'Mainland Scenery Series' illustrates some of China's magnificent natural wonders," said Mr. CHIANG. "This latest release highlights the Qiantang Bore, recognised as one of the most remarkable phenomena of its type in the world. We at Hongkong Post are proud to represent this unparalleled natural spectacle in a distinctive stamp format."
Located in China's Zhejiang Province, the Qiantang Bore is a unique wave system augmented by the pull of the moon and the sun as it enters the funnel-shaped Hangzhou Bay estuary. Traditionally, people gather to watch the bore on the birthday of the God of the Tides on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month from the vantage point of Yanguan Town, Haining City. The massiveness of this foaming and roaring bore tide can be viewed and appreciated from different locations along its route. Starting at Babao, spectators can observe the Bumping Tide before moving on to Yanguan for the Rolling Tide, and finally witnessing the Turnaround Tide at Laoyancang.
The stamp sheetlet is designed by Mr. KAN Tai-keung and printed in lithography by Joh. Enschede B.V., the Netherlands.
The stamp sheetlet will be displayed in the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Shatin Central post offices from 26 August 2005. Official First Day Covers at $1.00 each will be put on sale at all post offices on the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided souvenir cover will be accepted at 39 philatelic offices from 26 August to 1 September 2005.
A special postmark will be introduced on 16 September 2005. A hand-back datestamping service using the special postmark and bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address will be provided for official and privately-made covers at all post offices on that date. The "GPO-1" postmark, the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmarks will also be available for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.
The public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will be open as well from 9:00am to 5:00pm on 16 September 2005 for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the "GPO-1" postmark and the special postmark.
Further information about this issue and the sale of associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.
First Day Cover text
Fact Sheet
The enclosed photograph shows "Mainland Scenery Series No. 4 - The Qiantang Bore" Special Postmark to be issued on 16 September 2005.
The enclosed photograph shows "Mainland Scenery Series No. 4 - The Qiantang Bore" Stamp Sheetlet to be issued on 16 September 2005.