In July of 2003, the State Postal Bureau issued a set of four special stamps featuring Kongtong Mountain, continuing on the theme of China's famous mountains and rivers.

Situated 12 kilometers west of Kongtong District in Pingliang City, Gansu Province, Kongtong Mountain is celebrated as "the first Taoist Mountain under Heaven." It is said that it was here that Guang Chengzi cultivated himself to attain immortality, and that the Yellow Emperor (2697 - 2599 B.C.) came here to ask his advice. Kongtong Mountain is also the cradle of the Kongtong School, one of the five martial art schools in China, the others being Shaolin, Wudang, Emei and Kunlun. With the exception of Shaolin, the other four schools are named after mountains.

Since the Qin Dynasty over 2,000 years ago, China's different dynasties have built temples and pavilions on Kongtong Mountain, and formed an architectural community featuring "nine palaces, eight terraces and twelve temple compounds." The four stamps feature Huang Cheng (Imperial City), Tanzheng Xia (Chinese Zither Gorge), Ta Yuan (Tower Compound) and Leisheng Feng (Thunder Peak), where natural views and ancient architecture are in perfect harmony.

Huang Cheng is on Horse's Mane, the summit of Kongtong Mountain. A "sky ladder," comprising 378 stone steps, leads to it. Huang Cheng is the most magnificent of the temples on Kongtong Mountain. Most of its buildings are in good repair.

The Jing River flows through Kongtong Mountain, and forms a rippling blue reservoir at a broad section of the gorge. As the Jing River runs east, the winding water splashes against the rocks, producing a sound reminiscent of the Chinese zither, especially on a silent night. This is the origin of the name Chinese Zither Gorge.

Ta Yuan is composed of a tower and two temples. The tower is an octagonal, seven-storied brick structure with a Buddha in each eave corner.

Leisheng Feng, to the south of Horse's Mane, has dangerously sheer cliffs. The wind roars loudly down in the gorge, while the clouds and mist move swiftly up the peak. During midsummer, clouds and mist wreathe around the middle of the peak, and the magnificent temples are faintly discernible behind them, forming a Neverland-like picture. When it rains, the gorge vibrates with roaring wind and crashing thunder, giving rise to the name Thunder Peak.

The design on this set of monochrome stamps has been executed with sketch and paint-splashing techniques. That aptly presents the mountain's simple and elegant views, emphasizing its openness and beauty.