A gold plate of Year of Ox stamps [Photo provided to China Daily]

For decades, specially designed stamps featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and merchandised collectibles have been sought after by collectors. The set of two Year of the Ox stamps for 2021 are designed by painter Yao Zhonghua. 

China Philately recently released in Beijing a series of collectible products to go with the Year of the Ox stamps, including an album which features stamps and introductions of 18 cultural relics themed on the ox, coins, bracelets and gold products. Pre-sale orders can be made at post offices and at the company's specialty and online stores. 

China Philately also launched a calendar including stamps featuring World Heritage sites in China and many other stamp albums.

A list of 46 post offices across the country where addresses have the character "niu" (ox) was also released, and philately lovers can visit to get a specially designed postage stamp on envelopes.