China Post unveiled its special stamps for the Year of Yisi, also known as the Year of the Snake, on Jan 5 in Shanghai.

The set features two designs with the first depicting a golden curling snake holding a bundle of grain, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.

The second design showcases three snakes elegantly arranged to form the Chinese character Fu, meaning blessings.

Priced at 2.40 yuan ($33 cents) per set, the stamps have a nationwide circulation of 26.8 million sets.

On the release day, enthusiastic collectors gathered at postal outlets across the city. At the Liyuan Road post office in Huangpu district, queues began forming as early as midnight.

To accommodate the eager collectors, the post office kept its waiting area open overnight, providing hot water and reading materials to ensure a comfortable experience.

The Nanchezhan Road post office saw a similarly large turnout, with all available stamps selling out within just half an hour of its early 6:30 am opening.

The stamps were designed by renowned artists Tiger Pan and Zhang Wang, who seamlessly combined traditional cultural elements with modern design aesthetics.

One collector praised Tiger Pan's previous work in Europe for Philatelie Liechtenstein's Chinese Signs of the Zodiac stamp series, which garnered international recognition. Collectors described this latest release as being equally impressive.

Philatelie Liechtenstein is the official stamp-issuing authority of the principality of Liechtenstein in central Europe.

By the end of Jan 5, over 50,000 sets had been sold in Shanghai, with some products selling out almost instantly. China Post has announced plans to release additional zodiac-themed philatelic products soon, providing more opportunities for stamp enthusiasts to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

Sources: Shanghai Observer, Official WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Huangpu district committee at "shhuangpu", Philatelie Liechtenstein