2025-12, World Cultural Heritage‑Beijing Central Axis《世界文化遗产 – 北京中轴线》

Special Stamps: World Cultural Heritage‑Beijing Central Axis (2025‑12)

China Post issued a set of five special stamps World Cultural Heritage‑Beijing Central Axis on July 27, 2025.

(5‑1) T Yongdingmen Gate 0.80 CNY
(5‑2) T Zhengyangmen Gate 0.80 CNY
(5‑3) T Tian’anmen Gate 1.50 CNY
(5‑4) T The Palace Museum & Jingshan Hill 1.20 CNY
(5‑5) T Bell and Drum Towers 1.20 CNY

Serial No.: 2025‑12
Stamp size: 56 × 33 mm | Perforation:13 degrees
Stamps per full sheet (Pane 1):12 units
Full‑sheet size (Pane 1):161 × 240 mm
Stamps per mini‑pane (Pane 2):10 units (2 complete sets)
Mini‑pane size (Pane 2):188 × 205 mm
Printing process: Offset‑intaglio combined printing with partial hot‑foil stamping
Security features: Security paper, security ink, special‑shaped perforations, fluorescent coding
Designer: Wang Huming
Responsible editor: Gan Zhige
Printer: Henan Post & Telecom Technology Co., Ltd.
Planned print run: 5.70 million sets; Mini‑pane(Pane2): 0.693 million panes
Additional product: Long‑scroll stamp folder, face value CNY 5.50, designed by Wang Huming, printed by Henan Post & Telecom Technology Co., Ltd., planned print run:100 000 copies
Total face‑value of complete set: CNY 5.50

The Beijing Central Axis lies at the heart of old Beijing city. Its origins trace back to the 13th century and it took final shape in the 16th century. It consists of 15 heritage‑site components, stretching from the Bell‑and‑Drum Towers in the north all the way south to Yongdingmen Gate. Along this route are Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, the Palace Museum, Duanmen Gate, Tian’anmen Gate, Outer Jinshui Bridges, Tian’anmen Square complex, Zhengyangmen Gate and southern‑section road remnants. The Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Altar of Land and Grain, Temple of Heaven and Altar of Agriculture stand symmetrically to its east and west. Stretching 7.8 kilometres from north to south across the old city, the axis forms a composite ensemble of buildings and relics that governs the whole urban layout. The heritage elements cover five categories: imperial palaces, imperial sacrificial architecture, ancient urban‑management installations, national‑ritual public buildings and median‑road remnants. Centuries of renovation created this magnificent, well‑ordered architectural complex. It bears witness to the ideal capital‑city planning tradition that has influenced Chinese city‑building for more than two thousand years, reflecting Chinese people’s pursuit and realisation of ideal social and urban order, and constitutes a key symbol embodying the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilisation.

The five stamps depict major historic sites along the Central Axis in sequence from south to north: Yongdingmen Gate, Zhengyangmen Gate, Tian’anmen Gate, the Palace Museum‑Jingshan Hill, and the Bell‑and‑Drum Towers.

(5‑1) Yongdingmen Gate: Located at the southern terminus of Beijing Central Axis, it once served as the main southern gate of the outer city of old Beijing. It marks the southern end of the Central Axis, demonstrates classical Chinese city‑gate architecture, and offers a commanding viewpoint overlooking the southern segment of the axis.
(5‑2) Zhengyangmen Gate: Situated at the southern end of Tian’anmen Square, composed of the northern gate‑tower and southern arrow‑tower. It ranks as the largest and highest‑ranked city gate in old Beijing, and is a key observation point for viewing Tian’anmen Square and the southern Central‑Axis landscape.
(5‑3) Tian’anmen Gate: Main gate‑tower of the Ming‑Qing imperial city, flanked by Outer Jinshui Bridges, stone lions and ornamental huabiao pillars. It hosted imperial edict‑issuing ceremonies in ancient times and major modern state events, still undertaking important national‑ritual functions.
(5‑4) The Palace Museum & Jingshan Hill: The Palace Museum was the imperial palace of Ming and Qing dynasties, built following the ancient planning concept of “establishing the palace at the geographical centre”. Jingshan Hill, an imperial garden, stands as the highest elevation on the Central Axis. The pairing of palace and hill illustrates classical Chinese imperial‑garden layout ideas.
(5‑5) Bell and Drum Towers: Standing at the northern end of the Central Axis, they functioned as ancient urban time‑keeping facilities. Rising prominently above low‑lying traditional courtyard neighbourhoods, they form the northern visual landmark of old Beijing.

The stamp artwork adopts symmetric composition with eye‑level perspective, merging the charm of traditional heavy‑colour Chinese landscape painting with modern flat decorative style. Using both meticulous and free‑brush techniques, real‑and‑imaginary elements interweave to present the key 7.8‑km‑long architectural sequence of Beijing Central Axis. Printed by offset‑intaglio combined process supplemented by special treatments. Golden base background symbolises the “gold‑name‑card” of Chinese civilisation. Main architectural outlines on each stamp are rendered with intaglio engraving for crisp fine lines. Partial hot‑foil stamping enhances historical splendour. Full‑spectrum fluorescent printing achieves “one stamp‑two scenes”: under ultraviolet light, luminous night‑time background patterns interact with the main buildings, conveying blessings for perpetual vitality and prosperity of the Chinese nation.

2025‑12 Full‑Sheet (Pane1) of Special Stamps｜北京中轴线邮票大版