2019-10 Ancient Towns of China III (Special Stamps)

Date of issue: May 19, 2019

(4-1) T Yangliuqing Town in Xiqing, Tianjin                  0.80 Yuan

(4-2) T Guangfu Town in Yongnian, Hebei                     0.80 Yuan

(4-3) T Nianbadu Town in Jiangshan, Zhejiang             1.20 Yuan

(4-4) T Furong Town in Yongshun, Hunan                    1.20 Yuan

Size of stamp: 50x30 mm

Perforation: 13

Sheet composition: A 16

                                          B 8 (2 set)

Size of format: A 240x150 mm

                                B 153x156 mm

Printing process: Offset and Engraving

Anti-counterfeiting measures: anti-counterfeiting paper

                                                                anti-counterfeiting ink

                                                                heterotypic perforation

                                                                fluorescent code

Designer: Liu Bo and Yin Xiaofei

Engraver: Liu Bo, Yin Xiaofei and Liu Minhui

Format B Side Bar Designer: Wang Huming

Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

Description:

  On May 19, 2019, China Post issued a set of four special stamps titled “Ancient Towns of China (III)” with a total face value of 4 yuan. The pictures on the stamps are titled “Yangliuqing Town in Xiqing, Tianjin”, “Guangfu Town in Yongnian, Hebei”, “Nianbadu Town in Jiangshan, Zhejiang” and “Furong Town in Yongshum, Hunan” respectively.

  Yangliuqing Town, located in Xiqing District, Tianjin, occupies a location of strategic importance adjacent to Beijing, the capital of China. Historically, the town served as a significant transport hub along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, earning itself the reputation “Jiangnan in the North”. The town is also the cradle of the Yangliuqing New Year Picture, one of the four most famous woodblock New Year pictures in China, and folk crafts including brick carving, paper-cut and kite are also thriving here. Nowadays, the ancient town still preserves historical sites and cultural legacies such as the Wenchang Pavilion, Shi Family Courtyard and Puliang Pagoda. They compose a beautiful picture of Yangliuqing folk customs together with ancient streets featuring the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty, picturesque landscapes of the old canal, and colorful folk arts.

  Guangfu Town, located in southeastern Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province, is noted for its profound historical culture, enchanting landscapes of a northern-style water town, and far-reaching Tai Chi culture. The town is home to abundant historical sites and cultural relics including the Guangfu Ancient City and the Hongji Bridge. Streets and lanes crisscross around the town, retaining its original layout comprised of “four main avenues, eight small streets and 72 zigzagging lanes”. The ancient town is surrounded by a moat, beyond which is a vast expanse of swamps growing lush reeds, fish and shrimp, and lotus flowers and inhabited by wild geese and other water birds, creating an impressive vista of a water town. It is also known as a birthplace of Tai Chi – the famous Yang style and Wu (Hao) style both originated here.

  Nianbadu Town is located at the southwestern tip of Jiangshan City. Zhejiang Province, deep in the Xianxialing Mountains on the border of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces. It has a history of more than 1,000 years. In the past, due to its crucial geographical location, the town was a place contested by strategists of various dynasties. Currently, the historical town is home to a large amount of well-preserved ancient streets, old residences and historical architectural complexes of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Those buildings combine the architectural styles of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, as well as Hakka style of northern Fujian and even European style. Historically, it received countless immigrants from other parts of the country, which enabled the town to have plentiful clans and dialects, hence its nickname “Town with One Hundred Surnames and Kingdom of Dialects”.

  Furong Town, formerly called Wangcun, is located in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It derived today’s name from the film Furong Town that was shot in the town. With a history of more than 3,000 years, the ancient town is a major birthplace and habitat of the Tujia ethnic group. In ancient times, it served as an important passage and enjoyed the reputation of “Magnificent Town of Youyang”. Furong Town boasts picturesque landscapes. A waterfall runs through the town, and it is thus hailed as a “millennia-old town hung on the waterfall”. Tranquil and zigzagging streets and lanes, Tujia stilt houses built on the riverside, and the 2.5-kilometer street paved with stone planks add some distinctive Tujia ethnic flavor to the town.