Scott No: 1471-73
Serial number: R20
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: April 2, 1979
Denomination: 800 fen
Designer: Wan Weisheng
Engraver: Jiang Weijie, Li Qingfa, Gao Pinzhang
Size of stamps: 21*36mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 100(10*10)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

Pu 20 "Beijing Scenery Patterns" ordinary stamps were issued on April 2, 1979. The set consists of 3 stamps, printed by photogravure combined with engraving, designed by Wan Weisheng, engraved by Jiang Weijie, Li Qingfa, and Gao Pinzhang, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. Stamp size 25 mm × 40 mm, perforation gauge 13, 100 stamps per sheet. This is a set of high-denomination ordinary stamps, mainly used for international letters and bulk mail.

Theme of the Set

Beijing is the capital of China and has many famous classical imperial gardens. This set selects three landmark garden landscapes of Beijing, both serving as postage certificates and showing the garden appearance and long historical heritage of the ancient capital Beijing at home and abroad. It is a representative ordinary stamp set presenting Beijing's scenery to the outside world in the early period of reform and opening up.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Jingshan Park

The main subject of the design is the Wanchun Pavilion on Jingshan, hidden among dense trees, with the ancient pavilion's tiered eaves spreading out and a fresh, elegant tone. Jingshan is located on the central axis of Beijing and was once an imperial garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties; the Wanchun Pavilion was the old highest point of the capital.

Summer Palace

The design paints the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill in the Summer Palace, with red-leafed trees surrounding the tower and set off by the lake water, with rich autumn colors. The Tower of Buddhist Incense is the core building of the Summer Palace, magnificent in momentum, and the symbol of the Qing dynasty imperial temporary palace and garden.

Beihai Park

The design presents the White Dagoba of Beihai Park, standing on Qionghua Island, with weeping willows swaying, the lake water rippling emerald, and the White Dagoba's reflection in the water—the most recognizable classic scenery of Beijing.

Artistic Design Features

The set uniformly adopts a vertical long stamp format and the photogravure-plus-engraving process. The engraved lines are solid, the outlines of the scenery are clear, and the photogravure sets off soft environmental colors. The three scenes each have their own atmosphere: Jingshan is quiet and secluded, the Summer Palace is weighty, and Beihai is ethereal and beautiful; the style is concise and elegant. As high-denomination ordinary stamps, there is no elaborate decoration, highlighting the landmark buildings of the imperial gardens. It combines the practical postal function with the artistic beauty of scenery and is a highly praised scenery-themed work among ordinary stamps.