Scott Number: -
Serial number: 2011-17
Values in set: 1
Denomination: 120 fen
Date of issue: June 30, 2011
Size of stamp: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Size of Sheet: 190 * 180 mm
Designer: Shi Yuan
Printing process: Photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

On June 30, 2011, the commemorative stamp "Inauguration of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway" (catalog number 2011-17) was officially issued, coinciding with the official opening of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan, designed by Shi Yuan and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory using offset printing.

The stamp features the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, showcasing this major transportation artery connecting the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta. It highlights the significant achievements of China's high-speed rail construction, reflecting how the railway has shortened the distance between north and south, promoted trade and personnel exchanges along the route, and facilitated coordinated regional economic development, marking China's entry into a new phase of rapid high-speed rail development.

Stamp Design and Historical Background:

Inauguration of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway

Image: A "Harmony" high-speed train speeding across a bridge, with the Beijing Temple of Heaven and Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower in the background, connected by railway lines that span the composition.
History: The Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway is 1,318 kilometers long and was at the time the longest high-speed railway built in a single phase in the world. It officially opened on June 30, 2011, connecting Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, Xuzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, and other major cities.
Significance: A landmark project in China's high-speed railway development and a symbolic achievement in the construction of a modern integrated transportation system.

Artistic and Design Features:

Composition: The speeding train serves as the visual focal point, with the two iconic city landmarks at each end of the route reflected in the design.
Color Palette: Dominated by cool blue and gray tones, emphasizing the technological and high-speed character of rail transportation.
Line Usage: The extension of the railway lines creates a sense of depth, combining motion and stillness with a powerful forward momentum.
Element Selection: Carefully selected, representative city symbols ensure a clear theme and strong regional identity.

This stamp is the only dedicated stamp issue for the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, making it a scarce collectible. It is an important item for thematic collections on high-speed rail, rail transportation, and major infrastructure projects. Combining regional attributes of both Beijing and Shanghai, it is highly valued by collectors interested in railway and major engineering themes, carrying distinct historical significance as a milestone of the era.