Scott Number: -
Serial number: 2011-18
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 240 fen
Date of issue: July 2, 2011
Size of stamp: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Size of Sheet: 230 * 146 mm
Designer: Liu Jian
Printing process: Offset
Printer: Liaoning Province Shenyang Stamp Printing House

On July 2, 2011, the special stamp "Cycling" (catalog number 2011-19) was officially issued as an additional supplementary issue, commemorating the 10th Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race, while also promoting the concept of green and low-carbon travel. The set consists of two stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 2.40 yuan. The stamps were designed by Zhang Qiang and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using offset printing.

The two stamps cover both everyday recreational cycling and professional road racing, balancing lifestyle and competitive sports. One stamp promotes green, low-carbon, healthy, and recreational travel, while the other showcases the competitive spirit of road cycling races. Centered around the Tour of Qinghai Lake, a premier high-altitude cycling event in China, the set highlights the dual value of cycling in both public fitness and professional sports.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Low-Carbon Travel

Image: Urban men and women riding recreational bicycles, with cyclists dotting the road in the distance, set against a modern city skyline, blue sky, and white clouds.
History: Bicycles are a low-cost, zero-emission mode of transport, aligning with the concept of low-carbon environmental protection, encouraging green commuting and leisure cycling.
Significance: A concrete expression of the concepts of public fitness and green living.

Competition

Image: Road cyclists racing at high speed, with the main rider highlighted and multiple ghosted riders in the background, with distant highland mountains in the background.
History: Reflects the Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race, which is the highest-altitude and one of the most significant road cycling events in Asia, showcasing the spirit of highland sports.
Significance: A representative of professional road cycling competition.

Artistic and Design Features:

Artistic Style: Modern flat-style decorative illustration with clean, bright lines and fresh, transparent colors.
Compositional Contrast: The first stamp is calm and leisurely, reflecting a relaxed lifestyle; the second uses dynamic ghosting effects to create a sense of speed and competitive tension.
Regional Reference: The distant mountains in the second stamp subtly reference the highland landscape around Qinghai Lake, closely linking to the event's background.
Unified Format: Both stamps share the same horizontal format, suitable for viewing as a se-tenant pair.

This set is a supplementary issue, combining the themes of sports, low-carbon environmental protection, and Qinghai local culture. It is one of the few stamp sets in China dedicated to cycling as a theme, and can be integrated into thematic collections on cycling, road racing, and public fitness. With a wide appeal, it is highly valued by collectors interested in sports and Northwest regional themes.