A "Dragons, Treasures and Masterpieces" stamp exhibition was launched in Singapore Philatelic Museum on Wednesday, featuring a rare collection of the first official postage stamps of China from the Qing Dynasty to contemporary Chinese stamps documenting the rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The half-year-long exhibition is part of Singapore's National Heritage Board's "China Modern China Contemporary" festival which coincides with the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games, said the Museum in a statement.

It said the exhibition aimed to provide a glimpse into the fascinating cultural heritage to one of the world's oldest civilizations.

Highlights of the exhibition include Dragon Stamps - the first official postage stamps in China, Cultural Revolution stamps - Stamps as propaganda tools, as well as contemporary Chinese stamps documenting the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country.