Hongkong Post will launch a stamp sheetlet and related philatelic products with the theme "World Heritage in China Series No.9: Qinghai Hoh Xil" on June 23 (Tuesday).
      
     Located in the northwest of Qinghai Province, Qinghai Hoh Xil is a region of frigid alpine grassland situated at an average elevation of 4 500 metres above sea level and covering an area of more than 37 400 square kilometres. It is the largest natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in China and is under strict protection by state laws and regulations. Hoh Xil means the blue ridge in Mongolian, while the Tibetans call the area Aqênganggyai.
      
     Hoh Xil is blessed with extraordinary and unique natural beauty. The towering mountains and steep glaciers, as well as the stunning lakes, river basins and wetlands, are all breathtaking. It is also known as the "third pole" of the world. Its distinctive geographical environment and extremely cold climate have kept it free from human settlement, preserving its pristine ecology with distinctive natural landscapes.
      
     To underscore the natural grandeur and rich biodiversity of Hoh Xil, the stamp sheetlet is affixed with the first-ever "widescreen" stamp depicting wild species with Class I state protection, such as the Tibetan antelope, the wild yak, the Tibetan wild ass and the golden eagle, showcasing the splendours of the sacred and serene plateau.
      
     This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products, including a stamp sheetlet, an official first day cover, a presentation pack and a serviced first day cover, will be on sale at post offices from June 23.
      
     For the issue of "World Heritage in China Series No.9: Qinghai Hoh Xil" on June 23, Hongkong Post will implement a special sales arrangement to achieve social distancing and prevent crowds from forming. During the period from today (June 19) to the issue date of the stamps (June 23), customers can place their orders on the website stamps.hongkongpost.hk for this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products, including a set of serviced first day covers with special stamps date-stamped with pictorial postmarks of all 38 philatelic offices, without the need to visit the actual outlets. In addition, collection points will be set up at all post offices on the issue date of the special stamps to facilitate the submission of order forms as well as first day covers requiring hand-back date-stamping service. Hongkong Post will notify these customers of the collection date of their orders separately.
      
     Information about this special stamp issue is available on the Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk or in the Hongkong Post mobile app.

Ends/Friday, June 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 10:00

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