Scott No: 2305-08
Serial number: T155
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: November 5, 1990
Denomination: 88 fen
Designers: Li Defu, Yang Wenqing
Size of stamps: 54*40mm
Perforation: 11
Sheet composition: 28 (4*7)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp set Mount Heng (Southern Sacred Mountain), catalog number T155, was issued on November 5, 1990. It consists of four stamps, produced using a combination of photogravure and intaglio printing. The stamps measure 54×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 11 degrees. Each sheet contains 28 stamps (4×7). The stamps were designed by Li Defu and Yang Wenqing, engraved by Hu Zhenyuan, Li Qingfa, Jiang Weijie, and Yan Bingwu, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

Mount Heng is the Southern Sacred Mountain among the Five Great Mountains. Located in Hengyang, Hunan, it has long been praised as the "most beautiful of the Five Great Mountains." This stamp set continues the creative thread of the Five Great Mountains stamp series, selecting representative cultural ancient architecture and mountain scenery of the Southern Sacred Mountain. It showcases the lush forests and ethereal clouds of Mount Heng, integrating Taoist and Buddhist cultural relics, and presenting the unique landscape artistic conception and profound mountain culture of the Southern Sacred Mountain.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

The Majestic Grand Temple

The main subject is the Nanyue Grand Temple complex, with layer upon layer of halls and yellow tiles and red walls. The Nanyue Grand Temple is a large-scale ancient architectural complex in southern China, integrating the architectural essence of multiple dynasties. Buddhism and Taoism coexist here, and it is the most important sacrificial and religious site of the Southern Sacred Mountain.

Mount Heng Soars Like Flying

The image depicts the main peak of Mount Heng undulating and surging within a sea of clouds. When the ancients evaluated the Five Great Mountains, they said, "Only the Southern Mountain alone soars like flying." Amid the flowing clouds and mist, the peaks seem to be about to fly into the air. It is the iconic sea of clouds landscape of Mount Heng.

Mount Heng Stands Alone in Beauty

The image shows an ancient pavilion hidden deep in the dense forest, with lush vegetation and verdant greenery everywhere. Mount Heng has a warm and humid climate and abundant vegetation, remaining evergreen throughout the four seasons. Unlike the vigorous and precipitous character of other mountains, it is known for its serene and beautiful character.

The Majestic Zhurong Peak

The image depicts Zhurong Peak, the highest peak of Mount Heng. At the summit stands the Zhurong Hall. The setting sun illuminates the peak, and the sky is filled with rosy clouds. Zhurong is the legendary god of fire. Zhurong Peak is also an excellent place to watch the sunrise and enjoy the sea of clouds on the Southern Sacred Mountain.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses the style of Chinese landscape painting. The combined photogravure and intaglio printing process provides solid engraved lines, and the light color rendering is warm and elegant. The four images balance ancient architecture, seas of clouds, dense forests, and the main peak, with rich layers. The rendering of clouds and mist is dynamic and ethereal, highlighting the "beauty" characteristic of the Southern Sacred Mountain. The style is consistent with the stamps of Mount Tai, Mount Heng (Northern), and other Five Great Mountains, with a distant artistic conception.