Scott No: 2870-73
Serial number: 1998-13
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: June 6, 1998
Designers: Xu Yongmin; Liu Shouxiang;
Wang Yong; Song Kejing
Size of stamp: 50*30mm
Perforation: 12.5
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: offset

The special stamp set Shennongjia, catalog number 1998-13, was issued on June 6, 1998. It consists of four stamps, produced using offset printing. The stamps measure 50×30 mm, with a perforation gauge of 12.5 degrees. Each sheet contains 20 stamps. The stamps were designed by Xu Yongmin, Liu Shouxiang, Wang Yong, and Song Kejing and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

This stamp set presents the scenery of the Shennongjia Nature Reserve in Hubei. Shennongjia is known as the "Roof of Central China." Located in the eastern section of the Daba Mountains, it preserves large areas of primary vegetation and is a World Network of Biosphere Reserves site. The four images are presented in the order of winter, spring, summer, and autumn, depicting four typical landforms: mountain peaks, gorges, primeval forests, and alpine meadows. They showcase the rich and unique ecosystem of Shennongjia, raising public awareness of the need to protect rare natural environments and biodiversity.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Mountain Peaks

The image presents the peaks of Shennongjia in winter, with snow-covered mountains and swirling clouds and mist. Shennong Peak, at over 3,000 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in Central China. The mountains are majestic and precipitous. The cold, high-altitude mountain environment creates a unique alpine landscape, displaying the vigorous and magnificent mountain character of Shennongjia.

Gorge

The design features a spring gorge landscape. The valley is deep, with waterfalls pouring down from the cliffs. Plants sprout in the mountains, and birds are dotted among them. Shennongjia has high mountains and deep valleys, and long-term water erosion has shaped numerous gorges. The diverse microenvironments nurture a large number of rare plants and animals.

Primeval Forest

The image depicts a primeval mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest in midsummer, with towering ancient trees and mist swirling in the forest. Shennongjia was a biological refuge during the Quaternary glaciation and preserves many ancient relict plants such as the dove tree. Its forest ecosystem is well preserved, making it a precious natural gene bank of species.

Alpine Meadow

The design presents an alpine meadow in late autumn, with yellowing grass and a herd of deer roaming the fields. Alpine meadows are distributed in the high-altitude areas of Shennongjia, with expansive views, providing habitat for wild animals and fully displaying the tranquil wilderness and the natural scene of all beings coexisting.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a watercolor painting style. The four images were independently created by four painters, with tones shifting with the seasons: pure white winter snow, clear and moist spring valleys, lush summer forests, and warm yellow autumn meadows. The compositions are broad and expansive, focusing on pure natural landscapes without adding artificial structures, fully presenting the pristine beauty of Shennongjia's mountains and wilds. It is a representative work in the category of scenery and ecology stamps.