Expo provides an international insight

Du Chunxiao couldn't take her eyes off the stamps on display at the Philatelie Liechtenstein booth during a recent visit to an exhibition in Beijing.

Produced by the official postal authority of the Principality of Liechtenstein, the stamps celebrate the culture, history, nature, as well as significant events of the country tucked between Switzerland and Austria. They were on display during the Beijing International Cultural and Tourism Consumption Expo at the Beijing Exhibition Center between Nov 1 and 3.

The visitor from Shunyi district says she was immediately drawn to the stamps for their depictions of murals, oil paintings and court culture.

"I've never collected stamps before, but they are exotic, and are carriers of art and culture," says Du, in her 40s.

She bought a set of stamps for 180 yuan ($25.3) for her nephew, who has just started primary school.

"I think it will make a nice present and a good early introduction to exploring and understanding the cultures of different countries," she says.

Du was among more than 20,000 visitors to the expo on the opening day.

The three-day event was hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and attracted around 300 exhibitors from China and abroad.

According to the organizers of the event, the aim is to aggregate resources, introduce the latest developments in the cultural and tourism market, and offer an international platform for the exhibition and trading of cultural and tourism products.