Scott No: 3491-4, 3495
Serial number: 2006-8
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: April 13, 2006
Denomination: 320 fen
Designer: Jiang Weijie
Size of stamps: 30mm * 40mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 20
Sheet size: 150mm * 240mm
Size of S/S: 80mm * 120mm
Stamp of S/S: 40mm * 60mm
Perforation of S/S: 13
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on April 13, 2006. It consists of four stamps and one souvenir sheet, designed by Jiang Weijie, with Shi Yuan serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The Yungang Grottoes, located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain in Datong, Shanxi, are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the statues are grand in scale and exquisitely carved, representing the highest achievement of Northern Dynasty Buddhist stone carving art. This stamp set features four classic Northern Wei statues from the grottoes, along with a souvenir sheet depicting the open-air Buddha, showcasing the powerful and ancient artistic charm of Yungang and documenting the glorious achievements of ancient Buddhist sculpture.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Shakyamuni Buddha

Taken from Cave 5, this close-up of the Buddha's face is gentle and compassionate, with simple and heavy carving that reflects the dignified and restrained character of early Northern Wei Buddhist sculptures.

Offering Bodhisattva

From Cave 13, this bodhisattva has a graceful and ethereal posture, holding an offering vessel, with flowing robes and soft, elegant lines.

Offering Bodhisattva

From Cave 18, this bodhisattva features an intricate crown and a serene, elegant expression, with fine and delicate carving details.

Attendant Bodhisattva

From Cave 6, this bodhisattva has a dignified and graceful posture, accompanied by attendant figures, with a complete and ornate composition and intricate carving.

Souvenir Sheet – Shakyamuni Buddha

Featuring the famous open-air Buddha from Cave 2, this statue is majestic and grand, representing the most iconic main Buddha image of the Yungang Grottoes.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamps share a uniform vertical format. The photogravure printing authentically reproduces the rough and ancient texture of the stone carvings, with deep, rich tones that convey the sense of age and history. The souvenir sheet presents the open-air Buddha separately, enhancing the historical depth and artistic expression of the set.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of World Heritage stone carving art, including both stamps and a souvenir sheet, suitable for thematic collections on Chinese grotto art.