Scott No: 3148-51
Serial number: 2001-25
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 5.20 yuan
Date of issue: 24th November 2001
Designer: Yang Wenqing, Yan Bingwu
Size of stamps: 30*50 mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process: photogravure-intaglio
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

2001-25 Special Stamp Set The Liupanshan Mountains was issued on November 24, 2001. The complete set contains 4 stamps with a total face value of 5.20 yuan. The designers are Yang Wenqing and Yan Bingwu. The engravers are Hao Ou, Yan Bingwu, Hu Zhenyuan, Li Qingfa and Jiang Weijie. Printed in photogravure-intaglio by Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House. Perforation: 12. Stamp size: 50×30 mm.

This stamp set features four representative natural landscapes of the Liupanshan Mountains in Ningxia. Known as Longshan in ancient times, the Liupanshan Mountains are located in southern Ningxia, spanning Ningxia and Gansu Provinces. It is a national nature reserve, and also the last major mountain range crossed by the Red Army during the Long March. Adopting the combined photogravure and intaglio technique, the stamps depict the magnificent and picturesque natural scenery of the Liupanshan Mountains. Meanwhile, they embody the red cultural heritage of the Long March, showcasing the unique ecological features and cultural heritage of the mountainous regions in Northwest China.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

The Summit of Liupanshan

The main peak of the Liupanshan Mountains stands at an altitude of 2,942 meters, featuring lofty and precipitous mountain massifs. The famous line from Mao Zedong’s poem *Pure Peace Music · Liupanshan* — "On Liupanshan’s crest, red flags unfurl in the west wind" — has made this mountain renowned nationwide. Rolling mountains and surging sea of clouds form the landmark view of Liupanshan, which witnessed the epic course of the Red Army’s Long March. The stamp depicts layered mountain ridges with towering peaks shrouded in swirling mist, fully expressing the imposing grandeur of the mountain.

Forest of Liangdian Gorge

Liangdian Gorge lies in the heart of the Liupanshan Nature Reserve. It is a deep and secluded canyon over ten kilometers long, where Genghis Khan was said to have spent summers. Inside the gorge, clear streams gurgle, forests flourish and ancient pines stand tall. With extremely high vegetation coverage, the gorge enjoys cool and humid climate. The stamp presents a lush green scene with ancient trees growing thickly and streams winding through the woods, reproducing the serene and tranquil charm of primeval forest.

Old Dragon Pool of the Jing River

Old Dragon Pool is one of the sources of the Jing River, hidden deep within the canyon. It consists of connected multi-level pools flanked by steep rocky cliffs and cascading waterfalls, reputed as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Jingyuan". The spring water here is crystal clear, with craggy rock walls along the gorge. It is the legendary site of the tale that Wei Zheng beheaded the old dragon in a dream, boasting both fantastic natural scenery and folk legends. The stamp portrays the canyon, clear springs and cascades, with powerful texture of rocks, revealing the delicate yet precipitous beauty of the canyon pools.

Wild Lotus Valley of West Gorge

Wild Lotus Valley, also named Lotus Ditch, is covered with wild lotus grasses along the valley. In midsummer, stretches of lotus leaves grow beside streams, a rare sight in the mountainous Northwest China. Green pines line both banks of the canyon, and streams dotted with wild lotus extend for miles, combining the soft grace of water towns in the regions south of the Yangtze River with the imposing momentum of Northwest mountain valleys. The stamp shows green grass interspersed with lotus flowers embraced by woods, displaying the exquisite beauty of this unique wetland valley in Northwest China.

Artistic Design Features

The whole stamp set adopts photogravure-intaglio printing. The solid and forceful engraved lines finely render the texture of rocks and woods. The four stamps successively present the summit, forest, pool and valley, shifting from grand mountain vistas to quiet gorges, fully demonstrating the diverse scenery of Liupanshan from multiple perspectives. The palette is fresh and elegant, dominated by blue-green tones that highlight the vitality of mountain forests. Integrating natural mountain scenery of Northwest China with red historical culture, this set ranks as an outstanding landscape engraved stamp work.