Zhou Lingzhao (front, third from right) was commissioned by China Post to design the ostal stamp to celebrate the Year of the Dog on the Chinese lunar calendar, which will begin Feb 26. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The collection of Chinese New Year stamps still enjoys a huge fanbase across the country, though few people today need a stamp for mailing a postcard or letter.

In cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, stamp buyers waited in lines outside post offices before opening hours Friday, according to Li.

Meanwhile, an exhibition showing Zhou's stamp designs and all New Year stamps that have been issued by China Post is now running at the Museum of National Post and Postage Stamp in Beijing through February.