Serial number: 2009-15
Scott Number: -
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 240 fen
Date of issue: July 18, 2009
Size of stamp: 50 * 30 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 16
Size of sheet: 140 * 80 mm
Printing process: offset
Designer of stamp: Wang Huming
Photographer: Zhang Zhaoji, Tu Qianshun
Printer: Henan Post and Telecommunication Printing Works

Special Stamps The Great Hall of the People (2009-15) were officially issued on July 18, 2009, marking the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Great Hall of the People. The set consists of two stamps, each with a face value of ¥1.20, making the total face value of the full set ¥2.40. A stamp booklet numbered (38)2009 was released simultaneously. The stamps were designed by Wang Huming. Photographic materials were provided by Zhang Zhaoji and Tu Qianshun, and the stamps were offset printed by Henan Post and Telecommunication Printing Factory. Image resources were supplied by the Administration Bureau of the Great Hall of the People.

Located on the western side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the Great Hall of the People was completed in 1959. It ranks among the Ten Great Buildings of New China. It serves as the venue for the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. It is also an important site for major state affairs activities and foreign receptions of the Party and the country, carrying important symbolic significance for the development of China’s democratic politics. The stamps feature the iconic front gate and the core inner hall of the building, displaying its architectural features from the outside in. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Great Hall of the People, the set showcases the solemn and elegant architectural art of this national landmark and embodies the system of the People’s Congress and China’s democratic political culture.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

East Gate

The main motif is the full front view of the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Rows of giant marble colonnades stand in order, red flags stretch on the roof eaves, and the magnificent building is set against blue sky and white clouds. As the main entrance to the Great Hall of the People, the grand porch of the East Gate is its most widely recognized exterior image, where numerous significant state events have been held.
Significance: It presents the solemn exterior architecture of the Great Hall of the People.

Grand Auditorium

The design shows the full interior view of the Grand Auditorium. At the centre of the dome hangs a large lamp with a red five-pointed star surrounded by golden radiance and sunflower patterns. Fan-shaped seats extend tier upon tier, and the rostrum looks dignified and magnificent. Capable of accommodating ten thousand attendees, the auditorium integrates acoustics, optics and architectural aesthetics. It is China’s largest conference hall and has hosted countless vital meetings.
Significance: It demonstrates the core interior space and the function of the Great Hall of the People for state affairs.

Artistic Design Features

Standardized format: Both stamps adopt a horizontal layout. The exterior and interior scenes can be appreciated side by side, featuring grand and balanced composition.
Colour rendering: The exterior scene adopts bright and steady tones, while the interior scene uses warm golden lighting to set off the majesty of the auditorium. The realistic photographic style faithfully reproduces the original appearance of the building.
Narrative structure: Starting from the exterior facade and extending to the core inner hall, the stamps fully display the architecture and practical functions of the Great Hall of the People.
Collectible value within series: This is the second set of special stamps themed on the Great Hall of the People issued in New China, carrying special commemorative meaning for its 50th anniversary.

This thematic special stamp set features iconic landmarks of the capital and red political sites, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Great Hall of the People with a timeless theme. It is available in multiple standard formats including loose sets, full sheets and exclusive booklets. Collectors often assemble it together with stamps depicting other Beijing landmarks such as Tiananmen, Zhongnanhai and the CPPCC Auditorium.