News

Approved First Day Cover text for "Mainland Scenery Series No. 4: The Qiantang Bore" stamp sheetlet issue

THongkong 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 fourth series on Mainland Scenery features the Qiantang Bore in Zhejiang Province.

The Qiantang Bore has long been recognised as one of the most spectacular in the world. It is a unique wave system brought along by the pull of the moon and the sun on entering 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 appreciated and viewed from different locations along its route. One can start at Babao to view the Bumping Tide and move on to Yanguan for the Rolling Tide, and finally at Laoyancang, witness the Turnaround Tide.

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 First Day Cover design uses an earthy shade of brown to enhance the visual impact of the Rolling Tide in the Qiantang Bore.

Acknowledgements:

The Stamp Bureau of Zhejiang
Haining Post Office
Photos shown on stamp sheetlet are supplied by:
Mr. CHEN Qing (Iron Ox)
Mr. FANG Binghua (Tide-viewing in Haining)
Mr. WANG Chaoying (Haining Rolling Tide)