Scott No: 2513-16
Serial number: 1994-12
Values in set: 4
Souvenir sheet: 1
Date of issue: September 25 , 1994
Designers: Xu Yanbo
Size of stamp:
(4-1) (4-2) 31*52 mm
(4-3) (4-4) 52*31 mm
Size of S/S: 135*80 mm
Size of S/S stamp: 54*40 mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 40
Printing process: offset

The special stamp set Wulingyuan, catalog number 1994-12, was issued on September 25, 1994. It consists of four stamps and one souvenir sheet, produced using offset printing. The stamp sizes are 31×52 mm for (4-1) and (4-2), and 52×31 mm for (4-3) and (4-4), with a perforation gauge of 12 degrees. Each sheet contains 40 stamps. The souvenir sheet measures 135×80 mm, and the stamp image measures 54×40 mm. The stamps were designed by Xu Yanbo and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province.

Thematic Focus of the Set

This stamp set takes the sandstone peak forest landscape of Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, as its theme. Wulingyuan was inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List in 1992, making it one of China's first natural heritage sites. The stamps feature four iconic landscapes within the scenic area, along with the Ten-Mile Gallery on the souvenir sheet, showcasing the unique geological wonders of towering peaks and deep gorges. It introduces this rare natural landscape treasure to the world and raises public awareness of sandstone peak forest landforms—distinct from karst—and natural heritage protection.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

South Heavenly Gate

The image depicts a massive natural stone archway. The cliffs are steep, and the stone patterns are vigorous. It is a landmark natural stone gate landscape of Wulingyuan, with huge rocks spanning the air, demonstrating uncanny workmanship and fully displaying the unique landforms created by long-term weathering and water erosion of sandstone.

Shentang Bay

The image depicts the secluded valley of Shentang Bay. The deep valley is enclosed by sheer cliffs on all sides, with clouds and mist swirling at the bottom year-round. It is deep and serene, with many folk legends. It is a highly mysterious gorge landscape of Wulingyuan.

The Number One Bridge Under Heaven

The image shows a natural stone bridge spanning the tops of two peak pillars in the air. The bridge deck is thin and precipitous, crossing the gorge. It is a rare natural stone bridge in the world and a breathtaking geological wonder of Wulingyuan.

Imperial Brush Peaks

The image shows several slender stone peaks rising from the ground, arranged in a scattered pattern like brush handles, with green pines growing at the summits and clouds and mist flowing among the peak forest. It is the most representative peak forest landscape of Wulingyuan and a classic symbol of Zhangjiajie scenery.

Souvenir Sheet: Ten-Mile Gallery

The souvenir sheet depicts the long scroll of the Ten-Mile Gallery gorge. A stream winds alongside the walking path, with stone peaks arranged in continuous rows on both sides. Every step reveals a new scene, integrating peak forest, stream, and trees into one, gently unfolding the artistic conception of Wulingyuan's landscape scroll.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses a pen-and-watercolor painting format. Light color washes render the clouds and mist, while lines outline the hard contours of the stone peaks, balancing solid and void. It focuses on expressing the misty, cloud-wreathed atmosphere and the majestic, unusual peaks and rocks of Wulingyuan. The four stamps each have their own focus: stone gate, secluded valley, natural bridge, and peak forest present different landform types in sequence. The souvenir sheet concludes with an expansive long view. The tones are elegant and transparent, and the images are rich in the ethereal artistic conception of Chinese landscape painting. It is a classic work in the category of scenery stamps depicting sandstone peak forest landforms.