Scott No: -
Serial number: 2018-14
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: June 9, 2018
Denomination: 440 fen
Designer: Xing Wenwei
Size of stamps: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
(Value 1,2 in Sheet I;
Value 3, 4 in Sheet II;)
Sheet Size: 190 * 150 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The "Scenery of Kashgar" special stamps were issued by China Post on June 9, 2018. The full set contains 4 stamps, aiming to showcase the natural landscapes and historical and cultural relics of Kashgar Prefecture in Xinjiang. The stamps are titled Ancient City of Kashgar, Ruins of Stone City in Taxkorgan, Golden Populus Euphratica in Zepu, and Khunjerab respectively, with a total face value of 4.40 yuan.

Kashgar, known as Shule in ancient times, is located in the southwest of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Historically, it was a transportation hub on the Silk Road and an international commercial port where merchants gathered. As a famous historical and cultural city in China, it is known as the "Cairo of the East". Situated in the central part of Eurasia, Kashgar boasts unique geographical advantages of "five ports connecting eight countries and one route linking Eurasia" as well as cluster advantages of ports. It serves as a bridgehead for China's opening-up to the west and the core intersection covered by the two major strategies of the "Belt and Road Initiative" and the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor". In 2010, the central government officially approved the establishment of Kashgar Economic Development Zone.

Ancient City of Kashgar

Located in the central area of Kashgar City, the Ancient City of Kashgar was first built in the Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. With a long history, it holds extremely high research value and influence for the study of Silk Road culture. Under the care of the CPC Central Committee, the Ancient City of Kashgar has undergone earth-shaking changes in recent years and has become a model for the protection and renovation of ancient cities around the world.

Ruins of Stone City in Taxkorgan

As a national key cultural relic protection unit, the Ruins of Stone City in Taxkorgan is located in the north of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, on the important transportation route of the ancient Silk Road. It is one of the four major ancient stone castles in the world and one of the three major stone cities in China. The city was originally built by the ancestors of the Tajik people, and now preserves architectural remains from multiple historical periods ranging from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Zepu Golden Populus Euphratica National Forest Park

Located in the Yasidun Forest Farm in the southwest of Zepu County, Zepu Golden Populus Euphratica National Forest Park is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Nestled on the upper edge of the alluvial fan of the Yarkant River, the park is surrounded by water on all sides, presenting pleasant scenery and abundant animal and plant resources. It features a unique natural landscape that integrates populus euphratica, clear water, oases and Gobi.

Khunjerab

Khunjerab is a valley leading to foreign countries on the Pamir Plateau. Located in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, on the China-Pakistan border, it is an important pass of the Karakoram Mountains. Khunjerab Port, with an altitude of 4,733 meters, is the highest-altitude port in the world. It was one of the important passages on the ancient Silk Road and is now the only passage of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The National Highway 314 passes through the national border gate and connects to the highway leading to Pakistan.

The design of the stamps is based on photographic works, presenting Kashgar's unique historical style and magnificent natural scenery in an artistic way.

The stamps were designed by Xing Wenwei and printed by Beijing Stamp Factory using the photogravure process.