Scott No: -
Serial number: 2026-8
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: July 10th, 2026
Denomination: 400 fen
Designer: Huang Zhenhuang, Zhang Wang
Size of stamps:
33 * 44 mm for Value 1, 2;
44 * 33 mm for Value 3, 4
Perforation:
13.5 for Value 1, 2;
13 for Value 3, 4
Sheet composition: 12
Sheet Size:
180 * 173 mm for Value 1, 2;
173 * 180 mm for Value 3, 4
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Works

A single vein of clear springs runs through ancient alleys, and the living waters of the four seasons nourish the City of Springs. From the gushing of famed springs to the gentle flow through streets and lanes, from the encircling moat to the gathering of waves in the great lake, the ancient city of Jinan has formed a complete and vibrant living system, rooted in its natural spring network.

On July 10, 2026, China Post issued a set of four special stamps titled "The Charm of Jinan's Springs." The set follows the natural course of the springs, presenting four scenes—"Leaping Water at Baotu," "Winding Streams Through Alleys," "Boat Songs on the Moat," and "Converging Waves at Daming Lake"—to tell the story of a living spring system and its thousand-year bond with the ancient city of Jinan.

Jinan is home to a rare concentration of urban springs, unmatched anywhere else in the world. For centuries, groundwater has flowed north from the southern mountains, breaking through rock layers to burst forth as springs. These streams then weave through streets and lanes, encircle the old city walls, and eventually gather in the great lake—forming a complete water system that is both naturally formed and enriched by ancient urban planning. The springs are no longer isolated natural features but have become the living soul that permeates the city's fabric, integrates into the daily lives of its people, and carries its historical and cultural heritage. This set of stamps follows the springs' journey from source, through the city, to its final destination, turning a flowing watercourse into the invisible thread that connects all four stamps and tells the legend of a city and its waters.

Stamp 1 – "Leaping Water at Baotu"

This is the magnificent beginning of the springs' story and the heart of Jinan's spring system. As the foremost of Jinan's 72 famed springs, Baotu Spring has long been known as the "No. 1 Spring Under Heaven." Its history is interwoven with the city's fortunes, recorded as early as the Spring and Autumn Annals. The stamp captures a classic view: three streams of clear water surge upward from the pool, rising like wheels day and night without pause. Pavilions, flowers, and trees surround the pool, their ancient charm complementing the dynamic waters. From here, the springs begin their long journey through the ancient city—a source of life that has never ceased to flow, sustaining not only the landscape but also the cultural soul of Jinan.

Stamp 2 – "Winding Streams Through Alleys"

Once the springs flow into the old city, they become the gentle, poetic scene of this second stamp. The water follows blue flagstone lanes, passing under the graceful moon gate of Qifeng Bridge, with willows drooping and streams murmuring—capturing the timeless image of Jinan as "every home has springs, every household has willows." For centuries, the people of Jinan have lived by the water, sharing their daily lives with the springs that run past their doorways. With delicate brushwork, this stamp depicts the warmth of everyday life, where flowing water not only connects streets but also weaves through generations of memory, embodying the unique texture and human warmth of the spring city.

Stamp 3 – "Boat Songs on the Moat"

As the streams converge into rivers encircling the city, the scenery opens up into the grand view of the third stamp. The interconnected moat is a vital link in Jinan's water system, channeling waters from Baotu, Black Tiger, and Five Dragon Pool springs, encircling the ancient city like a green jade belt. In the scene, water rushes from the stone tiger heads of Black Tiger Spring, its roar full of power. The moat glimmers in the light, with the distant Liberation Pavilion standing tall—where revolutionary memory and flowing water blend. This water system, encircling the city, is both an ancient achievement in urban hydraulics and a witness to Jinan's growth through the centuries. Boats glide along the river, and city walls rise beside the water—an enduring harmony between nature and human design.

Stamp 4 – "Converging Waves at Daming Lake"

Finally, the countless springs circle the city and gather into the vast expanse of Daming Lake, completing the journey with a magnificent finale. As the destination for all of Jinan's spring waters, Daming Lake receives the city's streams to form the grand scene of "all springs converge into one lake." The stamp depicts a wide expanse of shimmering water, with the Chaoran Pavilion—first built in the Yuan Dynasty and later restored—standing gracefully by the shore. Its upturned eaves are reflected in the water, creating a classic scene where "half the city is embraced by mountains, half by the lake." Here, the springs from all directions meet and merge. The lake is clear and calm, carrying both the open feeling of rivers flowing to the sea and the poetic heritage left by generations of scholars. Daming Lake serves as the city's natural reservoir, completing the cycle from spring to stream, from moat to lake, revealing the integrity and wisdom of Jinan's spring ecosystem.

One spring gives rise to a city's splendor; one flowing water carries a thousand years of culture. The four stamps are linked in sequence, tracing the natural path of the springs—from fountainhead, through streets, around the city, and into the great lake. Together, they form a vivid narrative of Jinan's unique "Springs and City" cultural landscape.

The stamps are created in the pen-and-wash technique, blending the distant mood of traditional Chinese landscape painting with Western realism. Smooth, delicate lines outline buildings and lanes, while light, fresh washes bring the springs and lakes to life—creating a design that is both artistic and deeply rooted in the region's character. The designer tells a story through scenery, giving the stamps a flowing rhythm that makes the thousand-year-old spring pulse visible in miniature.

The springs that have flowed for millennia are Jinan's lifeline; the harmony between water and city is a treasure of China's cultural heritage. This stamp set captures the living story of the springs and carries the spirit of Jinan's spring culture to the world. It is both a vivid presentation of the "Jinan Springs and City Cultural Landscape" and a beautiful reflection of the idea that nature and humanity can thrive together—ensuring that this ancient flowing water, carried on stamps, will be understood and cherished far beyond the city itself.