Italy - Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines

"This serial property is an unusually well-preserved and extensive epigenic gypsum karst terrain. It includes a very high density of caves: over 900 caves in a relatively small area, with over 100 km of caves in total. It is the first and the best studied evaporitic karst in the world, with academic work beginning in the 16th century. It also includes some of the deepest gypsum caves in existence, reaching 265 meters below the surface." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

La Vene del Gesso is one of UNESCO World Heritage sites of Evaporite Karst and Caves of Northern Appennines, Italy. Thanks to Fedrico of Italy.

Japan - Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan

"The property consists of 17 archaeological sites in the southern part of Hokkaido Island and northern Tohoku in geographical settings ranging from mountains and hills to plains and lowlands, from inland bays to lakes, and rivers. They bear a unique testimony to the development over some 10,000 years of the pre-agricultural yet sedentary Jomon culture and its complex spiritual belief system and rituals. It attests to the emergence, development, maturity and adaptability to environmental changes of a sedentary hunter-fisher-gatherer society which developed from about 13,000 BCE. Expressions of Jomon spirituality were given tangible form in objects such as lacquered pots, clay tablets with the impression of feet, the famous goggle eyed dogu figurines, as well as in ritual places including earthworks and large stone circles reaching diameters of more than 50 metres. The serial property testifies to the rare and very early development of pre-agricultural sedentism from emergence to maturity."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

A museum piece showing Jomon Period Pottery - Jomon site is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Jomon related stamps used with a special Jomon cancellation. Thanks to Henry of Japan for sending me this special postcard.

Tunisia - Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory

"This serial property is a testimony to a settlement pattern that developed on the island of Djerba around the 9th century CE amidst the semi-dry and water-scarce environment. Low‑density was its key characteristic: it involved the division of the island into neighbourhoods, clustered together, that were economically self-sustainable, connected to each other and to the religious and trading places of the island, through a complex network of roads. Resulting from a mixture of environmental, socio-cultural and economic factors, the distinctive human settlement of Djerba demonstrates the way local people adapted their lifestyle to the conditions of their water-scarce natural environment."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Houmt Souk, Jerba (Djerba) is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tunisia. Thanks to Veerle of Belgium.

China - Xixia Imperial Tombs (2025)

"The Tangut civilization, an ethnic minority civilization, prospering in an agricultural-husbandry area in Northwest China, shows its excellent adaptability and outstanding cultural diversity. The general layout of the Tombs imitates the imperial mausoleum construction of the Northern Song Dynasty. In terms of site selection, layout, burial ways, building techniques and arts, the builders not only learned the experience from the ritual system and cultural achievements of the Northern Song Dynasty but also combined their own ethnic customs such as mountain worship, belief in necromancy and aesthetic orientations, reflecting the strong characteristics of the Tangut civilization’s inclusiveness and cultural fusion. As the site of the large tomb group for the Western Xia emperors, the Tombs bear special witness to the long vanishedTangut civilization."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

I bought this postcard in China.

Postcard 2
Xixia Imperial Tombs of Yinchuan, Ningxia is inscribed in 2025 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Qian of Suzhou, China.

North Korea - Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea (2025)

"Mount Kumgang is a long-celebrated place of exceptional natural beauty, renowned for its near-white granite peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls, and pristine ecosystems, rising to nearly 1,600 metres. The mountain’s dramatic impact is enhanced through constantly changing weather patterns of mists, rain, sunshine and clouds. This sacred mountain is a key site of mountain Buddhism, with traditions dating back to the 5th century. This cultural landscape is home to ancient hermitages, temples, stupas, and stone carvings, many located in the Outer and Inner Kumgang Area. Three temples remain active today and bear exceptional testimony to centuries of Buddhist practice, with tangible and intangible heritage deeply intertwined with the landscape." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nice postcard of Mount Kumgang of North Korea. Thanks to Chintung who visited Pyongyang and mailed it on August 4, 2012.

Germany - The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee (2025)

"Neuschwanstein - Linderhof (Palace)- King’s House Schachen - Herrenchiemsee (New Palace)"
“The real world is an illusion”. Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols

This serial property consists of four grand palace complexes in Bavaria’s alpine region, built under King Ludwig II between 1864 and 1886. Designed as personal retreats and imaginative escapes, they reflect the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era. Drawing inspiration from the Wartburg Castle, Versailles, German fairy tales, and Wagner’s operas, the palaces showcase historicist styles and advanced 19th-century techniques. Carefully integrated into stunning natural landscapes, they embody Ludwig’s artistic vision. Opened to the public shortly after his death in 1886, these sites are now preserved as museums and remain major cultural landmarks."

Source: UNESO World Heritage Tentative List

Postcard 1A - Neuschwanstein Castle
Schloss Neuschwanstein built in 1869-1886 by von Konig Ludwig II. Thanks to YL and Ing who visited this fairy tale castle in Bavaria, Germany.

Postcard 1B  - Neuschwanstein Castle

Royal Castle of Neuschwanstein, Germany. Thanks to Mimi of France. Terima kasih - merci beaucoup.

Postcard 1C  - Neuschwanstein Castle

Thanks to YL, Ing and Don who visited Neuschwanstein, Germany with special cancellation of the castle.

Postcard 1D  - Neuschwanstein Castle

Thanks to Jenny of Germany with special castle cancellation.

Postcard 1E  - Neuschwanstein Castle

Thanks to YL and YL mailed from the castle in Feb 2019.

Postcard 1F  - Neuschwanstein Castle

An autum view. Thanks to Yukiko of Munich, Germany.

Postcard 1G -  - Neuschwanstein Castle

Winter view of castle. I bought this postcard in Munich in 2015.

Postcard 2 - Linderhof

Royal Castle of Linderhof.

Postcard 3 - King Ludwig II Castles

A multi-view.

Postcard 4 - Location Map

A map view with multi-views

Greece - Minoan Palatial Centres (2025)

"This serial property comprises six archaeological sites on Crete dating from 1900 to 1100 BCE. These sites represent the Minoan civilization, a major prehistoric Mediterranean culture. The palatial centres served as administrative, economic, and religious hubs, featuring advanced architecture, urban planning, and vibrant frescoes. They reveal early writing systems, maritime networks, and cultural exchanges. The property highlights the complexity of the Minoans’ social structure and their enduring influence on Mediterranean history." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


Postcard 1

The Palace of Knossos and the Prince with the Lilies. Thanks to Anne of Finland.

Postcard 2
View of Festos (Phaisto) archaelogical site, in Crete, Greece. Thanks to Dustin of Germany.

Postcard 3
The Queen's Hall with frescos of dolphins, Palace of Knossos, Crete with matching frescos of dolphins stamp. Thanks to Dustin of Germany.

Postcard 4
Gold Jewel from Malia 1800 BC in Archaelogical Museum of Herakleion, Greece. A great addition to my museum postcard collection worldwide. Thanks to Dustin of Germany.

Malaysia - Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (2025)

"Located 16 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur, the property is a human-made tropical rainforest established on degraded tin-mining land from the 1920s. It includes scientific, residential, and service buildings, water bodies, and trails. The site represents a pioneering reforestation effort, successfully transforming barren land into a mature lowland tropical forest, showcasing early ecological restoration and sustainable land rehabilitation practices."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Colonial administration building of Forest Research Institute Malaysia of Kepong, Selangor. Thanks to Shah of Selangor, Malaysia.







These are additional postcards of FRIM. I have extra for swap.

Vietnam - Laos - Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park (2025)

"The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park is a transboundary extension of Viet Nam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, inscribed in 2003. Located in the Annamite mountains, it features rugged karst landscapes, deep caves—including the vast Xe Bang Fai Cave—as well as rich biodiversity and associated local traditional use. The park lies within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, home to over 1,500 plant and 536 vertebrate species, including many endemics and globally threatened species like the Red-Shanked Douc Langur and Sunda Pangolin. Unique species such as the Lao Rock Rat and Giant Huntsman Spider also inhabit the area. Its diverse ecosystems span lowland forests to high-altitude karst habitats.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Vietnam
Han Tien grotto of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Year of Ox stamp used. Thanks so much to Tayet of Vietnam.

Postcard 1B - Vietnam

Postcard 1C - Vietnam

Son Doong Cave - the world's largest cave in Quanbinh. I bought this postcard in Vietnam in October 2018.

Postcard 2A - Laos

Xe Bang Fai River Cave postcard. I bought both postcards in Laos in Luang Prabang and have them cancelled with stamps in Vientiane General Post Office in 2017.

Postcard 2B - Laos