Twin Bridge
The Kunshan Stamp Company also issued a series of first-day cover stamps in congratulation for the opening of Chen's gallery at the end of 1996. Zhouzhuang was still the theme of those stamps. His gallery was opened in Shanghai on December 21st, and in Beijing on January 31st, 1997, and continued across a number of other cities and countries throughout the following year, including Hong Kong and Singapore.
The first-day cover would be issued in a new place every time. The first one would always beReminiscence of a Hometown, and the second would always beWater Alleys in Old Towns. On the stamp, several boats quietly lie on the river, shrouded by the morning mist. Along the river, local residences with black rooves and white walls stand still. In the remote area, dimly, there is an arch bridge. Many artists at home and abroad have been enlightened by the wonderful scenery at Zhouzhuang. Васильевич, a Russian painter and four other painters once visited Zhouzhuang. Васильевич, known as Pavel Korchagin in art circles, dedicatedly drew pictures of Zhouzhuang with his arms, since his two hands were blown off by a landmine long ago. He even exclaimed, “I feel just like I am in a dream! It is too awesome! If I have to describe it, it’s a small Venice in China!”