To coincide with government's efforts to expand the tourism industry and encourage the populace in Taiwan to make excursions, this Directorate will issue a set of 4 stamps featuring THE NANYASHAN OUTLOOK, PITOU COASTLINE, STONE PILLARS OF NANYA, and THE TSAOLING HISTORIC TRAIL. These are four of the most representative scenic spots within the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area. These stamps are a continuance of the series, following the East Coast National Scenic Areas Postage Stamps, issued in 1995, and the Penghu National Scenic Area Postage Stamps, issued in 1996. They are denominated NT$5.00, 5.00, 12.00 and 19.00, and are scheduled to be released on May 31, 1997. The China Color Printing Co., Inc., R.O.C. produced them by deep etch offset process.    Situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan, the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, long and narrow in shape with 66 miles of coastline, faces the Pacific Ocean in the east and the East China Sea in the north. Within the area are tortuous capes, eroded terrains, golden beaches, and a colorful sea bottom. Also, the area is an excellent place for geological study, marine biological research, and recreational activities.    The following is a brief introduction to the design of this set of stamps:1. NANYASHAN OUTLOOK With the influence of the monsoon and erosion, the Northeast coast of Taiwan is replete with capes, precipicies, and gulfs. Looking from Nanyashan Outlook, travellers can be rewarded by the beautiful scenery in which the sky and the sea merge into one.2. PITOU COASTLINE It is a spot where all sorts of the eroded land formations along the Northeast coast are noted. Precipicies, cliffs, and terraces are well developed. Standing on the terraces, tourists can enjoy a variety of landscapes below.3. STONE PILLARS OF NANYA The terrain in this area is typical of eroded land formations. Because of the degrees of thickness and hardness of the rocks, as well a as different hues on their surface, the pillars give rise to layers of beauty.4. TSAOLING HISTORIC TRAIL Built by early settlers, the trail is the only surviving relic of the road from the township of Danshuei to I1an county. Tsaoling historic trail is so called because it passes through TSAOLING, a border mountain between the townships of Gung Liau and Tou Cheng.