On June 25, 2004 the State Postal Bureau issued a set of four special stamps entitled "Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui -- Xidi and Hongcun Villages." The stamps depict two ancient villages in Yixian County, southern Anhui Province, which UNESCO added to the World Heritage List on November 30, 2000.

Xidi Village is eight kilometers from the county town of Yixian. According to historical records, the founder of Xidi Village was Li Ye, one of Tang Emperor Zhaozong's sons. To escape turmoil, he hid among the commonfolk, changed his family name to Hu and settled in the village. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, some scholars succeeded as businessmen. Today the village has nearly 200 well-preserved houses from both dynasties and is noted as a "museum of Ming and Qing residences" by famous architects.

Hongcun Village is 11 kilometers northwest of the county town. Construction of the village started nearly 1,000 years ago during the Northern Song Dynasty. The village was constructed in the shape of a cow. With over 140 ancient houses, the village naturally blends into the surrounding landscape, known as a "village in traditional Chinese painting." The printing process of the stamps is gravure-engraving.

Stamp 1: Archway. Built in 1578, the sixth year of Ming Emperor Wanli's reign, this arch is a four-posted, three-gated and four-storied flat pseudo-panel structure, measuring l2.3 meters high and 9.95 meters wide. It memorializes Hu Wenguang, an honest and upright official who accomplished great political achievements. Standing at the entrance of the village, this archway is the village landmark.

Stamp 2: Ancient Buildings. The residences in Xidi Village fully reflect southern Anhui architectural style, such as "Horse Head Wall" -- a southern Chinese style where the walls descend staircase-style following the angle of the roof.

Stamp 3: South Lake. Located in southern Hongcun Village, this lake was an important part of the village's water system dating back to approximately 1607.

Stamp 4: Moon Pond. Dug in around 1407, this half-moon shaped pond is located in the center of Hongcun Village and is surrounded by residences of the Ming and Qing dynasties.