Stamp collectors queued outside a themed post office in downtown Beijing on Wednesday morning for a stamped envelope issued by China Philately ahead of Chinese New Year.

The issuance of a New Year envelope has been a practice every year since 1993 by China Philately to inspire the design of New Year postage collectibles.

The envelope was created by Zhang Wang who also designed the special Year of the Snake postage stamps for this year.

The envelope's motif depicts children performing Bai She Zhuan, or The Tale of White Snake, a household fairy tale that has been adapted into theater plays and operas. The story examines the chaos brought about by the love between a white snake spirit disguised as a woman and a man named Xu Xian.

The envelope also includes two Year of the Snake stamps.