Scott No: 3353
Serial number: 2004-7
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 4.20 yuan
Date of issue: April 24, 2004
Designer: Li Defu
Size of stamps: 50*30 mm
Perforation: 13*12.5
Sheet composition: 16(se-tenant)
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This special stamp set, Nanxi River, was issued on April 24, 2004. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 4.20 yuan, designed by Li Defu, with Shi Yuan serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The four stamps are in a horizontal continuous format, forming a complete landscape scroll.

The Nanxi River, located in Yongjia, Zhejiang, is a national-level scenic area. It is renowned for its clear water, unique rock formations, and beautiful riverbank forests, combining natural beauty with the cultural heritage of ancient villages with a thousand-year history of farming and scholarship. It has long been a favorite destination for literati and poets. This stamp set presents four iconic scenes in a traditional Chinese landscape scroll format, capturing the serene and ethereal beauty of the southern Zhejiang countryside.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

A Lonely Sail in the Distance

The scene features Shiyan Rock, a solitary peak rising from the riverbank. The clear, jade-like water reflects the peak, with a small boat drifting on the waves and distant mountains veiled in light mist. The composition is ethereal and distant, evoking a poetic and serene landscape.

Towering Peaks

This scene features the Twelve Peaks, with rugged cliffs rising amid clouds and mist. The river is wide and calm, with fishing boats resting by the shore. The peaks are arranged in a harmonious composition, showcasing the unique beauty of these towering rock formations.

Exquisite Landscape

The scene features Shizi Rock, a unique rock formation lying in the middle of the river, surrounded by clear water. A fisherman drifts on the river, creating a delicate and picturesque scene. The small island and the surrounding water form a charming and exquisite composition.

Layered Riverbank Forests

This scene depicts the dense forests along the riverbank, with layers of greenery stretching into the distance. The calm river meanders through the landscape, with farmland along the shore. This scene captures the most characteristic riverbank forest scenery of the Nanxi River, reflecting the gentle and leisurely character of the Jiangnan countryside.

Artistic and Design Features

The four stamps are arranged in a horizontal continuous format, forming a complete ink landscape scroll. The design uses a light and elegant Chinese landscape painting style, with soft and transparent mist effects and simple, ethereal tones. The photogravure printing captures the delicate ink-wash layers. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The continuous format preserves the seamless flow of the landscape scroll.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of Chinese landscapes and scenery, suitable for thematic collections on scenic spots and traditional Chinese ink painting.