Scott No: 2347-50
Serial number: T164
Values in set: 3
Denomination: 125 fen
Date of issue: August 10, 1991
Designer: Xiao Yutian
Size of stamps: 52*31 mm
Size of S/S stamp: 90*40mm
Size of S/S: 130*70mm
Perforation: 11.5.11
Sheet composition: 40 (4*10)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp set Chengde Mountain Resort, catalog number T164, was issued on August 10, 1991. It consists of three stamps and one souvenir sheet, produced using the photogravure process. The stamps measure 52×31 mm, with perforation gauges of 11.5×11 degrees (first two stamps) and 11.5 degrees (third stamp). Each sheet contains 40 stamps (4×10). The stamps were designed by Xiao Yutian and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

The Chengde Mountain Resort is the largest surviving imperial garden in China, integrating palace, lake, plain, and mountain scenery into one. This stamp set selects three representative landscapes of the resort, along with a panoramic view of the lake area on the souvenir sheet, showcasing the unique appearance of an imperial garden that blends northern and southern gardening techniques and the coexistence of landscapes and architecture. It reflects the superb level of Qing Dynasty garden art and carries profound historical and cultural connotations.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Ten Thousand Valleys and Pine Winds

The image depicts the Ten Thousand Valleys and Pine Winds complex in the palace area. Ancient pines tower into the sky, and palace halls are scattered about. This is an important palace scenic spot of the resort, where Kangxi and Qianlong often read and handled state affairs. The pine winds blow, serene and solemn.

Water Pavilion Encircled by Greenery

The image shows the scenery of Huanbi Island and the Water Heart Pavilion in the lake area. Green waters surround the pavilions, and lotus breezes ripple the waves. The lake area draws on Jiangnan garden techniques, with small bridges and water pavilions, lively and beautiful. It is a representative of the resort's Jiangnan charm.

Green Maple and Green Islet

The image depicts the Green Maple and Green Islet in the mountain scenic area, located on a hillside. In autumn, the maple leaves turn red, making it a great place for climbing and enjoying the view. With a broad field of vision, it is a classic landscape of the resort's mountain gardens.

Cheng Lake with Layered Greenery, Summer Resort Without Heat (Souvenir Sheet)

This is a panoramic composition. The main subject is the Ruyi Island and Cheng Lake area, depicting the Zhijing Cloud Causeway and pavilion complexes. The lake is vast, and the vegetation is lush. The Hall of Summer Resort Without Heat is surrounded by water on all sides, cool in midsummer. It is a landmark scenic spot of the resort's lake area, fully presenting the grand and beautiful layout of the lake area.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses the gongbi (meticulous brushwork) and rich-color blue-green landscape painting style. The colors are warm and elegant, combining the vigor of northern landscapes with the elegance of Jiangnan gardens. The three stamps have their own focus, clearly distinguishing the palace, lake, and mountain features. The souvenir sheet has an expansive and grand panoramic composition, with blue-green coloring enhancing the graceful and elegant character of the imperial garden. The images are rich in layers with a distant artistic conception.