Scott No: 3420
Serial number: 2005-3
Values in set: 5
Date of issue: January 30, 2005
Denomination: 470 fen
Designer: Tian Liming, Nan Xi,
Size of stamps: 40*30mm
Perforation: 12.5
Sheet composition: 120*210mm, 10 mint(2 sets)
Printing process: Engraving and offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on January 30, 2005. It consists of five stamps with a total face value of 4.70 yuan, designed by Tian Liming and Nan Xi, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing. The five stamps are in a continuous format.

This stamp set features five first-class historical sites in Taiwan. The architectural styles are rooted in traditional Chinese building techniques, bearing witness to the shared historical and cultural heritage across the strait. They showcase the precious historical architectural heritage of the island, confirming that Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

North Gate of Taipei Prefecture

The stamp depicts the ancient and solid city gate tower, with robust brick walls and an elegant double-eaved hip roof. It is the only surviving city gate from the Qing Dynasty's Taipei Prefecture, preserving the historical imprint of the old city.

Tainan Confucius Temple

The temple is grand and solemn, with delicate upturned eaves. It is the oldest Confucius temple in Taiwan, with a rich cultural and educational heritage, serving as an important center for the transmission of Confucian culture and education in ancient Taiwan.

Lukang Longshan Temple

The temple features intricate and exquisite wooden and stone carvings, reflecting the architectural style of southern Fujian. It bears witness to the early migration of mainland settlers to Taiwan and their establishment of roots on the island.

Tainan Erkun Shen Fort

The stamp depicts the imposing fortifications of this coastal defense structure. This important military relic protected the coast of Tainan and bears the historical memory of resistance against foreign invasions.

Penghu Tianhou Temple

The ancient and elegant temple is one of the oldest Mazu temples in Taiwan. It embodies the prayers of early settlers for safe voyages and carries the shared maritime folk beliefs of Fujian and Taiwan.

Artistic and Design Features

The horizontal continuous format presents the five ancient buildings in sequence. The warm, simple brown tones evoke the weathered texture of the ancient structures. The combined offset and intaglio printing provides fine and three-dimensional lines, accurately capturing the textures of brick, stone, and wood. The overall design exudes a quiet, ancient charm and a strong sense of history and culture. The stamps incorporate anti-counterfeiting features such as security paper and fluorescent spray codes.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of ancient architecture and cultural relics across the Taiwan Strait, suitable for thematic collections on traditional Chinese architecture and cross-strait history and culture.