China Post issued a set of stamps featuring the paintings of landmark structures in the Forbidden City on Saturday to celebrate the 600th birthday of the ancient palace.

The set includes four stamps, each presenting an individual construction, and a small sheet with the Forbidden City layout. The total face value of the set is 11.4 yuan (1.63 U.S. dollars). 

The stamps are designed in painting styles, and in the four paintings, the Forbidden City's sceneries were presented in different seasons. Meanwhile, to present the stamp collectors with different charms of the ancient buildings, a special set with digital information was issued. By taking a photo of the stamps with a special WeChat program or scanning a QR code alongside the stamps, more content about the Forbidden City could be provided.

The Forbidden City was started construction in 1406, and the whole project was completed in 1420, during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is the largest and most complete timber structure palace complex in the world.

Having served as the imperial residential place for the emperors in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912), the Forbidden City was transferred into a museum and opened to the public since 1925. Hence, it is also known as the Palace Museum, which is not only a treasure vault for millions of cultural relics, but itself is a living archive of imperial history.

This year marks the 600th birthday of the Forbidden City, as well as the 95th year of the Palace Museum's establishment. A string of celebration events has been promoted, with the stamps part of them.

source: CGTN