Scott No: -
Serial number: 2024-16
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: August 3rd, 2024
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Xia Jingqiu, Ma Lihang
Size of stamps: 38 * 50 mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet Size: 190 * 230 mm
Size of S/S: 150 * 84 mm
Size of S/S stamp: 60 * 50 mm
S/S Perforation: 13.5
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

China Post is scheduled to issue a set of 4 special stamps and 1 souvenir sheet themed Mogao Grottoes (II) on August 3, 2024. The stamps feature designs entitled Maitreya Bodhisattva (Northern Liang Dynasty), Attendant Bodhisattva (Tang Dynasty), Heavenly King (Tang Dynasty), and Donor Bodhisattva (Tang Dynasty), while the souvenir sheet depicts Sakyamuni Buddha Triptych (Sui Dynasty). The total face value of the stamp set is 10.80 yuan. The planned circulation is 6.2 million sets of stamps and 5.3 million souvenir sheets.

Dunhuang, known as the "key gateway" of the ancient Silk Road, is a mysterious and brilliant cultural pearl on the Hexi Corridor. Commonly referred to as the "Thousand Buddha Grottoes", the Mogao Grottoes are located on the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain and the western bank of Dangquan River, 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. As one of China’s Four Great Grottoes, the Mogao Grottoes were first excavated in 366 AD, boasting a history of over 1,600 years. In 1987, they were listed as one of China’s first World Cultural Heritage sites. Today, they stand as the world’s largest and best-preserved Buddhist art heritage, with the longest historical continuity, richest content, and finest artistic craftsmanship.

In terms of visual style and color scheme, the design of this stamp set maintains a high degree of consistency with the first Mogao Grottoes stamp series. Adopting modern design composition to convey traditional Chinese cultural essence, the stamps vividly present the simple, profound, magnificent, and elegant textures and forms of the sculptures. The souvenir sheet focuses on showcasing the architectural characteristics of the three-niche palace cave, highlighting the profound historical and cultural charm of the Mogao Grottoes. In terms of design language, decorative patterns are abandoned in pursuit of a minimalist modern aesthetic. Breaking free from frame constraints, the visual scope of the stamps is expanded and enhanced. The natural shapes formed by wear and restoration are ingeniously utilized to create negative space in the images—this indirect representation of incomplete parts also depicts the hardships and vicissitudes the Mogao Grottoes have endured. The Mogao Grottoes (II) stamps are printed using high-precision offset lithography, with full-color border decorations. Under fluorescent light, the exquisite murals are vividly reproduced, creating an immersive experience as if one were inside the grottoes. The souvenir sheet uses fluorescent ink, displaying a gradient halo effect under ultraviolet light, which better reflects the deep and intricate visual impression of the cave interiors.

This set of stamps was designed by Xia Jingqiu, the souvenir sheet by Ma Lihang, and edited by Wang Jing. It is printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Co., Ltd. using offset lithography technology.