Flags of the World | Hong Kong

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The flag of Hong Kong features a white, stylised, five-petal Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia blakeana) flower in the centre of a red field. Its design was adopted on 4 April 1990.

Pandas at Ocean Park | Hong Kong

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On Wednesday 12 April, the giant pandas Xing Ya and Wu Wen landed on Dutch soil. Soon they start a new life at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, Netherlands. There are an additional 120 pandas in zoos throughout the world. The postcard shows two pandas living in Ocean Park, Hong Kong.

The idea of pandas as gifts is known as 'panda diplomacy' and it has a long tradition in China. Panda diplomacy describes how the Chinese authorities let chosen governments keep pandas as a mark of respect between their countries. In the 1980s China moved away from 'gifting pandas' to countries, and instead started to loan them out.

Tai O Village on Lantau Island | Hong Kong

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Tai O Village is home to the Tanka people, a community of fishermen who have built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau Island for generations. These unusual structures are interconnected, forming a tightly-knit community that literally lives on the water.  

Stamps

The stamp on the left is part of a large set of definitives, issued 2014. Hong Kong is known as an international metropolis of skyscrapers. The stamps showing the countryside. This stamp is about the special features of Hong Kong’s Port Island.

Lamma Island | Hong Kong

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Lamma Island is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Most of the 6,100 inhabitants live in Yung Shue Wan village. The peaceful and tranquil island is the opposite of bustling downtown Hong Kong. There are no cars on the island, and all apartments must be built with a maximum 700 square feet per floor.

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In 2013 Hong Kong Post issued a set of four stamps featuring the artwork of four local disabled artists. The value of the stamp is embossed on the stamp in Braille.

Lantau Island, the Giant Buddha | Hong Kong

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Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong. Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Buddha located near the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. The Buddha is 34 metres (112 ft) tall and visitors have to climb 268 steps to reach the Buddha.

This giant Buddha is named Tian Tan Buddha because its base is a model of the Altar of Heaven, part of the Unesco World Heritage site Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

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Part of a set of six stamps about Cantonese opera costumes, issue 2014. 

East Ninepin Island | 九針群島

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Kwo Chau islands, also known as the Ninepin Group, are located to the east of Hong Kong island. There are three main islands and 29 small islands. The three main islands are South Ninepin Island, North Ninepin Island and East Ninepin Island. They look like nine pins from the sky. The name "Ninepin" is inspired by an old British game similar to modern day bowling.

Located in the open sea the islands are subject to the relentless impact of strong wind and waves, resulting in diverse peculiar coastal landforms, including steep cliffs, sea arches and various strangely-shaped rocks.

Stamps

2006 bird-definitives: the White-bellied Sea Eagle and a Scarlet Minivet. The other stamp is part of a set of four stamps with topic Hong Kong festivals (issued 2012).

The Star Ferry Pier, Hong Kong

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The charming Star Ferry boats have been faithfully carrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back since 1888. While the two sides of Victoria Harbour are now connected by a world-class infrastructure system of road and rail tunnels, tens of millions of people still climb aboard the humble Star Ferry vessels each year. Many visitors take the ride for an up-close look at one of the world’s most photographed harbours, while locals have kept their affection for it because, even after a century, it’s still a highly reliable and efficient form of transport.  

Stamps

From a large set of birdstamps, issued 2006, the Common Kingfisher (left) and the Little Egret (right).

A postcard from Hong Kong

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The back of the postcard reads: Wading Across, Shatin, 1967

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From a set of 6 stamps, Centenary of The University of Hong Kong

A floating restaurant from Hong Kong

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“A brainchild of Dr. Stanley Ho, the world-renowned Jumbo Floating Restaurant was established in October 1976. It took four years and millions of dollars to design and build. It is ornamented in the style of a gorgeous and exquisite ancient Chinese imperial palace. Over the past decades, Jumbo has been much appreciated by locals and tourists alike, and has become a scenic landmark of Hong Kong.” http://www.jumbo.com.hk/

Stamps

(left) A Fork-Tailed Sun Bird

(right) The Master-of-Nets Garden, It is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

   

An avenue of stars from Hong Kong

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The Avenue of Stars, modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.

Stamps

(left) Fork Taled Sunbird

(middle) tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers

(right) White Bellied Sea Eagle

Panoramic view of Hong Kong

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Hong Kong is one of two special administrative regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of China, the other being Macau.

 “….China has promised that under its "one country, two systems" formula its socialist economic system will not be practiced in Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.”

Stamp

The Red-whiskered Bulbul