Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area (UNESCO WHS)

A really nice (unfortunately a bit damaged) card of Huanglong Scenic Area. I received it from lin912 for Asia Meets the World RR, Big Group 100. This area has been a UNESCO WHS since 1992 and here is UNESCO's description of this natural beauty:

"Situated in the north-west of Sichaun Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey."

Wulingyuan at Zhangjiajie (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO says, "A spectacular area stretching over more than 26,000 ha in China's Hunan Province, the site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 m high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, some 40 caves, and two large natural bridges. In addition to the striking beauty of the landscape, the region is also noted for the fact that it is home to a number of endangered plant and animal species. " This area was listed as a WHS by UNESCO in 1992. Many thanks to sixes for sending me this great card for Mountain RR, Group 2.

Wulingyuan - Southern Gate (UNESCO WHS)

This is one of those cards where I notice how small we are compared to wonders of mother nature or things we ourselves build. Look at the huuuge southern gate of the Wulingyuan Area. The area is famous for its approximately 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillars. It has been a UNESCO site since 1992. Many thanks to littlefish for sending this card to me for Slavic Countries RR, Big Group 13.

Old Town of Lijiang (UNESCO WHS)

A Chinese UNESCO card showing a piece of the old town of Lijiang from Nancy for Turkey X World RR, Special Group 5.

Potala Palace / Tibet - China

Another Chinese UNESCO WHS from baiqitun for Turkey X World RR, Group 39. It shows the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of Tibet. It has been a UNESCO site since 1994. The palace was named after Mount Potala. It was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, after an invasion and failed uprising in 1959. Today the Potala Palace has been converted into a museum by the Chinese government.

Old Town of Lijiang (UNESCO WHS)

An official card from Zhuying (CN-196287) showing Si Fang (Square) Street in Lijiang Ancient Town. The background on the card is east. It has Fair Trade every day, from 10am to 5pm. Most traders are Naxi women. The area has been a UNESCO WHS since 1997.

Two Chinese UNESCO WHS at Once

The first card shows a scenery from the summer palace in Beijing , which is an imperial garden built in 1750. It has been a UNESCO WHS since 1998. I received the card from baiqitun for Your Hometown RR, Group 52.

The second card shows s view from "Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu", another Chinese UNESCO WHS. The temple was built to commemorate Confucius in 478 B.C. It has been destroyed and reconstructed over the centuries; today it comprises more than 100 buildings. The cemetery contains Confucius' tomb and the remains of more than 100,000 of his descendants. Many thanks to Ying for sending me this gorgeous card for March 2010 RR.

Dazu Rock Carvings (UNESCO WHS)

I received this interesting card of Dazu Rock Carvings from YangShengYing for December RR 2009. Dazu Rock Carvings are a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings, dating back as far as the 7th century A.D., depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. They were listed as UNESCO WHS in 1999. The Dazu Rock Carvings are made up of 75 protected sites containing over 50,000 statues, with over 100,000 Chinese characters forming inscriptions and epigraphs. The sites are located in Chongqing Municipality of China.