Souvenirs get stamp of approval

Among the unique postal memorabilia available at the Asian Games Village post offices are personalized postcards, some of which include pictures and audio recordings, as well as special postmarks representing all 61 sporting disciplines at the 19th Asian Games and sets of commemorative stamps. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY

Special postcards, postmarks and personalized collectibles prove popular among Games attendees

Jia Cheng Low, a Malaysian team official, cannot help but cherish the soundwave postcard in his hands. Whenever he scans the QR code on the postcard, he can hear the sounds he recorded, bringing back the memories of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

It is a unique service, offered by the temporary post offices at the Hangzhou Asian Games Village and Main Media Centre.

"Being able to listen to the sound of that exact moment is a profoundly heartwarming experience," he said.

Malaysian esports player Yong Zhan Quan found the postcard to be quite fascinating. "Such memorabilia is exceptionally unique," he said.

According to Qian Weihong, a staff member at the post office, the process of making a customized soundwave postcard is incredibly user-friendly: scan the QR code, record a message or sound for up to 40 seconds, upload a photo and confirm your choices.

Once printed, you'll hold a special postcard in your hands, Qian said.

In addition to the soundwave postcards, the temporary post offices at the Hangzhou Asian Games also offer AI-generated postcards and customized stamp services, as well as special stamps, postcards, and limited-edition envelopes.

These options allow participants to capture their distinctive memories of this continental event.

Among the unique postal memorabilia available at the Asian Games Village post offices are personalized postcards, some of which include pictures and audio recordings, as well as special postmarks representing all 61 sporting disciplines at the 19th Asian Games and sets of commemorative stamps. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY

Sun Jiahui, another postal staff member, said that the soundwave postcard was quite popular, and it already has the stamps attached so that customers can mail them out right away.

"The customized stamp printer is another popular attraction here. Customers can upload their own photos, and in just 15 minutes, they can obtain special stamps featuring their own pictures," she explained. "However, we only have 900 of these special stamps available."

On Sept 23, China Post released two commemorative stamps to commemorate the 19th Asian Games, which showcase the designs of the emblem and mascots.

Designed by Shao Lichen, these stamps are created using high-line intaglio printing and multicolor overprinting techniques to enhance their vibrancy. Their unique, irregular perforations are shaped like the "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" formation in West Lake, a distinctive symbol of Hangzhou.

To add a layer of security, the stamps feature fluorescent ink technology, which, when held under a UV light, reveal several orange-colored Hangzhou landmarks, bringing regional characteristics to life.

Additionally, on the same day, the limited commemorative envelopes for the Hangzhou Asian Games, along with the design of the commemorative stamps for the opening and closing ceremonies, were also released.

Among the unique postal memorabilia available at the Asian Games Village post offices are personalized postcards, some of which include pictures and audio recordings, as well as special postmarks representing all 61 sporting disciplines at the 19th Asian Games and sets of commemorative stamps. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY

Three distinctive stamp collections were also unveiled with the themes of "Meeting in Hangzhou", "Asian Games in China" and "New Era, New Asian Games".

"We also have several customized items, including a special, lengthy silk scroll adorned with special stamps representing all 61 sports, gold stamps of the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games and also a set of pins," Sun said.

Alibaba Cloud and China Post have partnered to introduce the "Asian Games AIGC Personalized Smart Mailbox" through which users can easily generate content online and then print it onto postcards with a simple scan of the QR code.

Among the unique postal memorabilia available at the Asian Games Village post offices are personalized postcards, some of which include pictures and audio recordings, as well as special postmarks representing all 61 sporting disciplines at the 19th Asian Games and sets of commemorative stamps. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY

At the temporary post offices, there are six different styles of commemorative postmarks available. These postmarks can be used to imprint various distinctive images on postcards, including the three mascots and iconic landmarks such as the "Big Lotus" stadium, all of which showcase the unique characteristics of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

At the same time, each sporting event has its own unique postmark. Postal staff arrange these postmarks according to the day's competition schedule.

"We have some postmark enthusiasts who visit us daily to collect postmarks from all 61 subcategories. They've even created their own dedicated notebooks for them," Sun explained.

China Post has also introduced a collection of postcards, each representing one of the 61 subcategories. According to Sun, esports is the most sought-after, and other popular sports such as table tennis and badminton are selling well.

"We've also released a set of postcards featuring the three mascots — Congcong, Lianlian, and Chenchen. Additionally, there's another set of postcards showcasing all three Asian Games that have been held in China, which are very popular," she said.