In May 2002, the State Postal Bureau issued a set of five stamps picturing historical relic beacons. They are the Mao Beacon, the Jiangxinyu Twin Beacon, the Huaniaoshan Beacon, the Laotieshan Beacon, and the Lingao Beacon, all of which have been designated "World Navigation Mark Heritage" by the World Navigation Mark Association, and listed among the "World's 100 Most Famous Beacons."

The 1,200-year-old Mao Beacon, constructed in brick and wood, is on Sun Island (formerly Mao Island) in Shenxiang Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai.

The Jiangxinyu Twin Beacon in Jiangxinyu, on the Oujiang River, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, comprises the Eastern and Western Beacons. They were built in 869 and 969 respectively.

One of the Four Beacons on the Pacific Ocean, Huaniaoshan Beacon was built in 1870, and enjoys the reputation of "Most Famous Beacon in the Far East." Located in Huaniao Township, Shengsi County, Zhejiang Province, it is pivotal in China's sea transport. In October 1997 the World Navigation Mark Association designated Huaniaoshan as one of the "World Historical Relic Beacons."

Laotieshan Beacon, the Chinese equivalent of the "Cape of Good Hope," is located on the cape southwest of Laotie Mountain, southernmost Lushunkou District, Dalian, Liaoning Province. At a height of 14 meters and cylindrical in shape, it is a vital aspect of Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea navigation.

Built in 1893, Lingao Beacon in Lingao County, northwestern Hainan Island is 22 meters high and 1.88 meters wide, and its light beams over a distance of several dozen miles.

To give a distinct image of these five beacons, innovative pen-and-ink drawing techniques have been employed, and different base colors used for the background of each stamp, which is a navigation map, reflecting the theme of this set.