In celebration of the September 2003's Seventh National Games for Traditional Sports of Ethnic Minorities, the State Postal Bureau of China issued a set of four special stamps picturing China's ethnic sports. They feature Mongolian wrestlers, Tibetan whistling archery, Uygur horse racing and Korean swinging.

Mongolian wrestling dates back to the 13th century. Wrestlers wearing canvas or leather vests studded with silver or brass buckles, three-color tunics, embroidered trousers and leather boots enter the arena performing traditional dance and song.

Whistling archery is traditional during the Tibetan Harvest Thanksgiving Festival. The arrow is an 80-centimeter bamboo shaft with swan feathers, which whistles when shot through the air.

Horse-racing is the favorite pastime of the Uygur people. July and August are the prime months in the north and south plateaus of the Tianshan Mountains, when local herdsmen put on their best clothes, and adorn their horses with feathers and brass bells. Competition events include long-distance racing and mounted shooting.

Swinging is popular among Korean women. The competition is based on the height they reach, or how many bells they touch on a rope set out in front of the swing.

The depictions of these sports in the special stamps are in gouache. Players dominate the foreground against a light backdrop that brings into focus the dynamic of the sports.