Scott No: -
Serial number: 2021-8
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: May 19th, 2021
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Liang Ming
Size of stamps: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
12 for Sheet I (Value 1, 2 in Sheet 1; Value 3, 4 in Sheet 2);
8 for Sheet II (2 Sets)
Size of sheet:
174 * 201 mm for Sheet I;
132 * 235 mm for Sheet II
Printing process: Offset + Engraving
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 4 special stamps titled Fujian Tulou on May 19, 2021. The total face value of the full set of stamps is 4.80 yuan, with a planned circulation of 7.1 million sets for the stamps and 950,000 sheets for the Sheet Type 2.

Fujian Tulou originated in the Song and Yuan dynasties and gradually matured from the late Ming Dynasty, through the Qing Dynasty, to the Republic of China period. These are large-scale residential buildings constructed with stone foundations and earthen walls, capable of accommodating dozens to hundreds of households living together. They are mainly distributed in Yongding District of Longyan City, Nanjing County and Hua'an County of Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. Boasting unique external appearances and internal structures, Fujian Tulou are renowned far and wide for their grand scale, scientific design, rational layout and well-preserved state. As a treasure of Chinese residential architecture, they were officially inscribed on the World Heritage List on July 6, 2008.

With the four seasons of Tulou as its theme, this set of stamps features Zhencheng Lou, Eryi Lou, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster and Chengqi Lou. The four stamp artworks adopt the traditional Chinese painting technique that combines meticulous brushwork with freehand brushwork, presenting bright and rich colors while delving deeply into the cultural connotations of Tulou. Amid the endlessly repeated square and circular shapes, the subtle sensations of the changing four seasons and the mystery of the integration of heaven and earth are vividly expressed, endowing Tulou with new perspectives and colors. The changes in light and shadow make the images light and spacious; meanwhile, the aerial overhead perspective gives the composition a stronger sense of expansive space, interpreting the distinctive shapes of Tulou and their humanistic atmosphere. This design highlights the centripetal and united emotional connotations embodied in the Tulou architectural form. In addition, both Sheet Type 1 and Sheet Type 2 are decorated with exquisite paintings, making the theme of Tulou vividly stand out on the paper.

This set of stamps was designed by Liang Ming, a member of the Traditional Chinese Painting Art Committee of the Chinese Artists Association and a member of the Fujian Artists Association. It was printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Co., Ltd. using the offset engraving process.