Tajikistan - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

"The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor is a key section of the Silk Roads in Central Asia that connects other corridors from all directions. Located in rugged mountains, fertile river valleys, and uninhabitable desert, the 866-kilometre corridor runs from east to west along the Zarafshan River and further southwest following the ancient caravan roads crossing the Karakum Desert to the Merv Oasis. Channelling much of the east-west exchange along the Silk Roads from the 2nd century BCE to the 16th century CE, a large quantity of goods was traded along the corridor. People travelled, settled, conquered, or were defeated here, making it a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, religions, sciences, and technologies."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Vobkent Minaret in Bukhara region, Uzbekistan is a transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor. Thanks to Yuliya of Belarus for mailing from Uzbekistan.

France - Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the "Triumphal Arch" of Orange

"Situated in the Rhone valley, the ancient theatre of Orange, with its 103-m-long facade, is one of the best preserved of all the great Roman theatres. Built between A.D. 10 and 25, the Roman arch is one of the most beautiful and interesting surviving examples of a provincial triumphal arch from the reign of Augustus. It is decorated with low reliefs commemorating the establishment of the Pax Romana." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Nice multi-view of Orange. Thanks to Mimi of France for mailing this wonderful postcard inside envelope.

Postcard 2 - Roman Theatre

Roman Theatre of Orange. Thanks to Nancy of France.

Postcard 3 - Arch of Triumph

Day view of the Arch of Triumph of Orange. Thanks to Nicole of Germany who was visiting France.






Postcard 4 - Arch of Triumph
Night view of the Arch of Triumph of Orange. Thanks to Nancy of France.

Postcard 5 - Roman Theatre

Ancient Roman Theater in Orange, France. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks so much to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 6 - Roman Theatre
Interior of Ancient Roman Theatre in Orange, France which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

China - Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu

"The temple, cemetery and family mansion of Confucius, the great philosopher, politician and educator of the 6th–5th centuries B.C., are located at Qufu, in Shandong Province. Built to commemorate him in 478 B.C., the temple 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. The small house of the Kong family developed into a gigantic aristocratic residence, of which 152 buildings remain. The Qufu complex of monuments has retained its outstanding artistic and historic character due to the devotion of successive Chinese emperors over more than 2,000 years." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Confucianism is an integral part of Chinese culture. The birthday of Confucius is now celebrated more widely in Confucius temples all over China. This is the main temple.




Postcard 2




Postcard 3
The Confucis Famly Mansion in Qufu, Shangdong, China is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Chen Zhan of Hangzhou, China.

China - Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde

"The Mountain Resort (the Qing dynasty's summer palace), in Hebei Province, was built between 1703 and 1792. It is a vast complex of palaces and administrative and ceremonial buildings. Temples of various architectural styles and imperial gardens blend harmoniously into a landscape of lakes, pastureland and forests. In addition to its aesthetic interest, the Mountain Resort is a rare historic vestige of the final development of feudal society in China." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Chengde Mountain Resort in Hebei, China is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Zhen Chan of Hangzhou, China.

Postcard 2
Another summer imperial getaway.

Postcard 3

New Caledonia (France) - Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems

"This serial site comprises six marine clusters that represent the main diversity of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in the French Pacific Ocean archipelago of New Caledonia and one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world. These Lagoons are of exceptional natural beauty. They feature an exceptional diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses with the world’s most diverse concentration of reef structures. The Lagoons of New Caledonia display intact ecosystems, with healthy populations of large predators, and a great number and diversity of big fish. They provide habitat to a number of emblematic or threatened marine species such as turtles, whales or dugongs whose population here is the third largest in the world." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

The six sites classed as Natural World Heritage areas are Grand Lagon Sud, Zone Cotiere Ouest, Zone Cotiere Nord-Est, Grand Lagon Nord, Atoils d'Entrecasteaux, Atoll d'Ouvea et Beautemps-Beaupre.

Postcard 1
Le pont de Mouli, Ouvea in New Caledonia. Nice matching turtle, map and UNESCO WHS stamp used. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 2

A manta ray and reticulated reefs in the West Coast Zone seeward from La Foa of Zone Cotiere Ouest. Thanks to Marie of France.

Postcard 3

Ile des Pins is located Grand Lagon Sud. Great aerial view of Ile des Pins of New Caledonia. Year of Tiger stamp used. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.






Postcard 3
A beautiful multi-view card of this South Pacific island country of New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonia). What a beautiful stamp. Thanks to Glenda.






Postcard 4
Hienghene, New Caledonia. The seas around Heinghene is part of UNESCO World Heritage site of Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems. Nice postcard mailed with a matching UNESCO WHS stamp. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Cold Winter Deserts of Turan

"This transnational property comprises fourteen component parts found across arid areas of Central Asia’s temperate zone between the Caspian Sea and the Turanian high mountains. The area is subject to extreme climatic conditions with very cold winters and hot summers, and boasts an exceptionally diverse flora and fauna that has adapted to the harsh conditions. The property also represents a considerable diversity of desert ecosystems, spanning a distance of more than 1,500 kilometres from East to West. Each of the component parts complements the others in terms of biodiversity, desert types, and ongoing ecological processes."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Altyn Emel National Park, Kazakhstan is part of Cold Winter Deserts of Turan - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Pifpal.

India - Hill Forts of Rajasthan

"These are the six forts:
- Amber Fort
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Kumbhalgarh Fort
- Chittorgarh Fort
- Gagron Fort
- Ranthambore Fort

"The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. The ecclectic architecture of the forts, some up to 20 kilometres in circumference, bears testimony to the power of the Rajput princely states that flourished in the region from the 8th to the 18th centuries. Enclosed within defensive walls are major urban centres, palaces, trading centres and other buildings including temples that often predate the fortifications within which developed an elaborate courtly culture that supported learning, music and the arts. Some of the urban centres enclosed in the fortifications have survived, as have many of the site's temples and other sacred buildings. The forts use the natural defenses offered by the landscape: hills, deserts, rivers, and dense forests. They also feature extensive water harvesting structures, largely still in use today."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Amber Fort

We went up by elephant ride to Amber Fort, Jaipur. Postcard sent through a mailbox outside a small post office near Mapple Hotel in November 2016. Arrived in Penang Island in December 2016.

Postcard 1B - Amber Fort

I visited Amber Fort in November 2016. Mailed this postcard to myself using Mother Theresa stamp from Jaipur.

Postcard 1C - Amber Fort
Decorated elephants at Elephant Stand at Amber Fort. Thanks to DHRUV of India.

Postcard 1D - Amber Fort

Elephant at Amber Fort, Rajasthan, India. Thanks to Nagi of India

Postcard 2 - Chittorgarh Fort 

Chittorgarh Fort is one of the six majestic forts in Rajasthan. Thanks to Sita of India.

Postcard 3 - Jaisalmer Fort

City and Fort of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Thanks to Grete of United Kingdom.

Postcard 4A - Kumbhalgarl Fort

An amazing fort but a long climb to the top - a big complex with 100 plus temples. Thanks to Donna of USA who visited this fort.

Postcard 4B - Kumbhalgarh

Fort Panaromic postcard of Kumbhalgarh Fort with immense walls, Rajastan, India. Thanks to Grete of UK who visited here.

Postcard 4C - Within Kumbhalgarh Fort

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (top left), Vedi Temple (top right), Badal Mahal (bottom left), Ram Pol fort entrance gate (bottom right). Thanks to Grete of UK.

Postcard 5 - Six Hill Forts

Multi-view of six Hill Forts of Rajasthan - Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Amer, Jaisalmer, Gagron. Thanks to Prashanth of India. Received in November 2019.

Postcard 6 - Ranthambore Fort

Illustration postcard showing Ranthambore Fort, Chauth Mata Temple, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Amareshwar Mahadev Waterfall and Ranthambore National Park. Nice 150 Years of Universal Postal Union stamp used. Thanks to Kamran of India.