From 2015 to 2023, the People's Republic of China issued a series of five stamp sets entitled "Journey to the West – A Masterpiece of Classical Chinese Literature." I have already posted three of these sets, issued in 2015, 2017, and 2019. I will now post all five sets, including the three previously shown, this time accompanied by their souvenir sheets and First Day Covers (FDCs) bearing commemorative postmarks. I will also add information about the scenes depicted on the stamps, taken from the text printed on the backs of the FDCs.
Here is the first set, issued on May 3, 2015.
- Monkey King Proclaims Himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven
- Buddha Subdues the Monkey King
- Xuanzang Swears to Retrieve Buddhist Sutras
- Monkey King Turns from Sin
The souvenir sheet, "Uproar in Heaven" is based on the seventh chapter of Journey to the West, which vividly depicts how the Monkey King bravely rebelled the Heaven and fought for freedom. In the chapter, he was described to be a hero with remarkable wisdom, extraordinary ability, and unyielding spirit.
Replies: 49 / Views: 8,893
Posted 02/27/2026 10:38 am
