Scott No: 3487-90
Serial number: 2006-7
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: April 12, 2006
Denomination: 300 fen
Designer: Yang Wenqing
Engraver: Jiang Weijie, Hao Ou
Size of stamps: 30mm * 50mm
Perforation: 13.5*13
Sheet composition: 16
Sheet size: 150mm * 240mm
Printing process: Engraving and offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on April 12, 2006. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 3.00 yuan, designed by Yang Wenqing, with Chen Yisi serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing.

Mount Qingcheng, located in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a well-known birthplace of Taoism. It has long been celebrated for its serene and secluded beauty, earning the saying "Mount Qingcheng is the quietest place under heaven." The mountain is covered with dense forests, with Taoist temples hidden among the peaks, blending natural scenery with Taoist culture. This stamp set features four representative scenes, presenting the tranquil and ancient beauty of Mount Qingcheng and its profound Taoist heritage.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Mountain Gate – A Distant View

The stamp depicts a simple and dignified mountain gate, nestled among the continuous green mountains. Mist drifts over the peaks, creating a serene and distant atmosphere, marking the iconic entrance to Mount Qingcheng.

Winding Path to Seclusion

A stone path winds through towering ancient trees, with pavilions glimpsed among the forest. The dense, deep woods perfectly capture the quiet and serene character of the mountain trails.

Ancient Temple in the Mountains

Based on the Tianshi Cave, this stamp depicts an ancient Taoist temple hidden deep in the forest. The buildings, built along the mountain, are simple and elegant, preserving the essence of a thousand-year-old Taoist tradition.

Clear Spring of Qingcheng

A mountain stream cascades down the rocks, flowing through the forest and cliffs. The clear, crisp spring water highlights the fresh and serene natural charm of Mount Qingcheng.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamps share a uniform vertical format. The combined offset and intaglio technique combines the weight of engraved lines with the elegance of ink wash painting. The overall style is inspired by traditional Chinese landscape painting, with soft and tranquil colors that delicately evoke the quiet mountain, deep forest, ancient temple, and clear spring.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of China's famous mountains and scenic spots, suitable for thematic collections on world heritage and Taoist mountains.