Special Stamp Issue – "Mainland Scenery Series No. 7: Huanglong"

A stamp sheetlet on the theme of "Mainland Scenery Series No. 7: Huanglong" will be issued on 28 February 2008 (Thursday).

Hongkong Post’s Stamp Sheetlets on Mainland Scenery are designed to introduce natural wonders and monuments in China, highlighting sites of historical and cultural significance. The seventh series on Mainland Scenery features Huanglong in Sichuan.

Situated within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Songpan County in the northwest of Sichuan Province, the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is adjacent to the famous Jiuzhaigou National Scenic Reserve. Spanning some 1,830 square kilometres with an average altitude of over 3,000 metres, Huanglong is home to the endangered giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey. It was designated a National Scenic Spot in 1982 and subsequently listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Huanglong is renowned for its colourful pools, snowy peaks, stunning gorges and dense forests. The most unique attraction is the kaleidoscope of travertine (limestone) formations. While the shoals, lakes, waterfalls and caves formed by limestone deposition offer a splendid array of scenic landscapes, over 3,000 terraced travertine pools lend an air of grandeur and unparalleled beauty.

The sheetlet depicts the mist-shrouded Bijia Mountain of Danyun Gorge in black and white to contrast with the seasonal colours in Huanglong — the Zhaga Waterfall in vernal green, the Mirror Ponds in winter snow and the Bailong Gorge after summer rain. The HK$10 stamp features the Welcome Ponds at Huanglonggou, showing gorgeous autumn dyes of red and gold around the aquamarine pools.

Sales Arrangements
Information about the sale of philatelic products associated with this stamp sheetlet starting from 28 February 2008 is as follows:

Remarks:

1. The above philatelic products are included in the 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 Overseas Mail Order Service. Order form had already been issued to 2008 Local Standing Order Service / 2008 Overseas Mail Order Service customers. For local customers, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau Hotline for enquiry at 2785 5711 or fax at 2191 9296.
2. For overseas customers, please ensure there is sufficient balance in your account to pay your advance order. Otherwise, your order will be processed only when the stock is still available after all orders have been fulfilled. For any enquiries, please contact Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau (Overseas Mail Order Service Unit) Hotline at 852-2928 7211 or fax at 852-2850 6552.

Official First Day Covers at $1 each will be put on sale at all post offices as from 14 February 2008. The stamp sheetlet and the associated philatelic products will be displayed at General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office and Shatin Central Post Office as from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from 14 to 20 February 2008.

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements
A hand-back datestamping service will be provided on 28 February 2008 at all post offices, for official and privately-made covers, bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. A special postmark will also be introduced. This will be available, together with the GPO-1 postmark, the “Philatelic Bureau” pictorial postmark and the philatelic office pictorial postmark, for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.

Also on 28 February 2008, the public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau on 1/F., Trade Square, 681 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, will open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for datestamping covers with the "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmark.

Stamp Printing Details