Taipei 101

Few are the postcards that manage to be original by construction. And this one is a brilliant example. It shows Taipei World Financial Center (also known as Taipei 101) in two aspects: a childish drawing and a photography reversal film window (upper right corner). Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan (509,2 m) and held the world record of tallest building between 2004 and 2010, when it was surpassed by Burj Khalifa. The design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, with a shape resembling a pagoda and its specifications are based on the number "8", a lucky number in traditional Chinese culture; it features 8 upward-flaring sections, and is supported by 8 super-columns. It got the fastest elevators in the world, rising at 1010 meters per minute (60.48 km/hour) and descending at 610 m/min (36.6 km/hour). The brakes are ceramic rather than steel (as found in high-performance cars) for greater efficiency. TAIPEI is mnemonic for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment, and Identity. 101 represents the concept of striving for beyond perfection.
The postcard came with two stamps:
The 2.5 $ (ND2013) shows Rhodomyrtus tomentosa shrub.
The 10 $ (ND2010) shows a white lighthouse.

Thank You, Yining !

Country: Taiwan
Description: Taipei World Financial Center (skyscraper)
Location: here
Publisher: unknown (due to postcard decorations)

Share Taiwan with the World

 

This beautiful watercolor painting came yesterday from Taiwan. It was made by Hibeetle (or Lim), a painter and graphic designer that lives on the island. He likes to share his hand-painted postcards with the others and he have an account at PostCrossing as well. The card itself is designed around Postcrossing idea. On the back it have a special place for Postcard ID and the date. As well it got a very artistic AIR MAIL design.

And something about the stamp... In 2008, the Taiwanese government started the electrification of the Hua-tung railway line (161 km) connecting the two cities located on the eastern coast of the island, Hualien and Taitung. This project was completed in 2014 and the Taiwanese Post issued on June 28, 2014 a special souvenir sheet evoking some portions of this Hua-tung railway line.
The 12NT$ shown here depicts the Taroko Express (in operation since February 2007), on a section of the Kecheng bridge (seen behind).

Thank You, Wei Shan !

Country: Taiwan

Description: world map (with Taiwan) in watercolor painting

Publisher: Hibeetle

Kaohsiung Shopping District

This card was sent in RR group (Eyes Closed #225) and shows the Taiwanese Kaohsiung shopping district. It's a cute aerial view with FE'21 Mega Shopping Center & Warner Village Cinema as a main sight (lower right corner). Unfortunately, on 1st of August, a series of gas explosions killed 25 people and injured 267 others in this town. Hope the city and its inhabitants recover from this disaster.
About the stamps. The round ones (5 NT$ each) belong to a bigger sheet themed "Finding Nemo" (issued in 2008 along with another one). The square one (3 NT$) is issued earlyer (1990) on the 40th Anniversary of Labor Insurance.

Thank You, kikawa !

Country: Taiwan
Description: Sanduo Shopping District
Photo: unknown
Location: here

Taiwan Spin Top

 

Today another postcard came in my inbox. It's from Taiwan and depicts a game where players use big colorful tops on streets. On YouTube there is a short movie that shows how children practice this sport. Amazing & watch-worthy.

About the stamps: they are not dated (although first two from 2013 and the last one from 2014) and bear the "Republic of China (Taiwan)" mark.
The duplicate one (1NT$ - April 2013) represents Ribes formosanum (Formosan gooseberry or Formosan currant). The plant is found at altitudes of 3,000-3,900 meters on Mt. Qilai, Mt. Xue, and Mt. Hehuan. The berries are oval or spherical and look like little lanterns. When ripe, they are red and edible, with a sweet and tart taste.
Parandra lanyuana (5NT$ - August 2013) is one of the long-horned beetle stamp series. It has a dark brown body and inhabits rotten wood in dark forests of Orchid Island. Adults measure 1.9-2.5 cm.
Perilla frutescens (5NT$ - June 2014) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the mint family Lamiaceae with heart-shaped leaves and serrate edges. Its flowers are dark pink in color.

Thank you, Frank !

Country: Taiwan
Description: Colorful Top on Taiwan Street
Photo: unknown
Location: unknown