Scott No: 3435
Serial number: 2005-10
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: May 21, 2005
Denomination: 320 fen
Designer: Jiang Zhinan
Size of stamps: 50*30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 8 (2 sets)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This special stamp set, Scenery of Dalian Seashore, was issued on May 21, 2005. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 3.20 yuan, designed by Jiang Zhinan, with Yu Ping serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The four stamps are in a horizontal continuous format.

Dalian is located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, connected to the mainland on one side and bordered by the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea on the other. It is a well-known coastal summer resort and a national-level scenic area in China. The long and winding coastline, shaped by years of wave erosion, has created a diverse coastal landscape of rocky reefs, bays, sandy beaches, and islands. This stamp set features four iconic landmarks, presenting the unique charm of this northern garden city where mountains meet the sea, from natural rock formations and island scenery to historical coastal fortresses, showcasing the majestic and beautiful natural scenery of China's northern coast.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Tiger Beach

Nestled between mountains on three sides, the bay features rugged coastal cliffs resembling a crouching tiger. The blue sea shimmers under the sun, and the sheltered bay is one of the most classic coastal scenic spots in southern Dalian.

Bangchui Island

This solitary island resembles a wooden club used for pounding clothes. With clean sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters that shift from light green to deep blue, the island is covered with lush vegetation. Set against the vast sea and sky, it is a distinctive and serene island landscape of Dalian.

Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach)

The coast is dotted with natural rock formations sculpted by millions of years of sea erosion. The colorful cliffs and sea arches create a unique geological landscape, often described as a "sculpture park created by nature." It is a rare coastal geological wonder.

Lüshunkou (Port Arthur)

With its strategic topography and calm, open harbor, Lüshunkou is both a natural deep-water port and a historic coastal defense stronghold. Surrounded by mountains and sea, it combines natural coastal beauty with profound historical significance.

Artistic and Design Features

The horizontal continuous format uses a watercolor painting style, with soft, translucent sea tones and detailed mountain and rock layers. The four scenes flow seamlessly, presenting a complete coastal panorama. The photogravure printing captures the light and transparent quality of watercolor. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, shaped perforations, and fluorescent spray codes. The overall design is fresh and bright, reflecting the unique grandeur and elegance of the northern coast.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of coastal scenery, suitable for thematic collections on China's landscapes and coastal geology.