Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts · CLIENT: Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts
Zhanlu is a brand and packaging design for a herbal tea created for the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor. The concept draws on the image of morning dew in classical Chinese poetry, suggesting purity and light nourishment. The blend combines monk fruit, licorice, ophiopogon, raspberry, and Solomon's seal, following the traditional principle that sour and sweet flavors together help generate moisture. Each 5 g tea bag is sealed in a moisture proof sachet. Coated paperboard cartons use offset printing and hot stamping with Han inspired graphics.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Zhanlu is inspired by the idea of light nourishment and the purity of morning dew. Created for the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, it blends monk fruit, licorice, ophiopogon, raspberry, and Solomons seal, following the traditional principle that sour and sweet together help generate moisture. Warm, gentle, and balanced, it offers visitors a moment of natural comfort and a quiet connection to ancient wisdom.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Each bag contains 5 g of blended herbs, with 50 g per box. Individual sachets are sealed in moisture proof laminated film to ensure freshness and hygiene. Packaging includes a coated paperboard carton and a premium rigid gift box with specialty paper wrapping and inner tray. Suitable for hot water brewing, one sachet per cup. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Tags
- Light Nourishment, Herbal Tea, Moisturizing Formula, Brand Design
- Production Technology
- Zhanlu is made with selected herbs that are cleaned, low temperature dried, and finely cut to preserve aroma and quality. The blend is packed into 5 g food grade tea bags and sealed in moisture proof sachets. Cartons and rigid gift boxes use coated paperboard with offset printing and hot stamping to present refined Han inspired graphics.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was translating traditional wellness philosophy into a contemporary product without losing cultural depth. Rooted in classical theory, the concept had to remain clear and appealing to modern users. The key was balancing herbal efficacy, taste, symbolism, and packaging in one refined and coherent design.
- Project Duration
- The project was completed on February 18, 2026. The client is based in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. Concept development, herbal formulation research, and packaging design were carried out in Xian, Shaanxi Province, China. The project integrates regional cultural resources with contemporary design practice, bridging eastern market demand and northwestern cultural heritage context.
- Operation Flow
- Open the outer carton or gift box and remove one individually sealed sachet. Tear open the moisture proof wrapper and place one 5 g tea bag into a cup. Add approximately 250 to 300 ml of hot water and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. The tea gradually releases a gentle sweetness and light herbal aroma.
After touring the mausoleum, visitors hold the warm cup, pause, and sip slowly. The interaction is simple and intuitive, open, brew, inhale, taste, creating a quiet ritual that connects body, breath, and cultural memory in a brief moment of nourishment. - Research
- This project explores how traditional Chinese wellness philosophy can be translated into contemporary cultural product design. Based on the principle that sour and sweet flavors generate moisture, the formula blends monk fruit, licorice, polygonatum, ophiopogon, and raspberry to support gentle hydration. Inspired by classical poetry and Han aesthetics, the packaging reinterprets traditional symbolism in a modern tea product, linking heritage, health, and mindful self care.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for Zhanlu comes from the image of morning dew in ancient Chinese poetry, pure, quiet, and life giving. It draws from the sacred atmosphere of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, especially the ancient cypress trees that have endured for millennia. The concept of light nourishment and the traditional principle that sour and sweet create moisture shaped the formula, expressing harmony between nature, heritage, and gentle self care.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Designers Ma Lan and Tang Guangyi (Product Designer / Visual Designer), Zhanlu Sweet and Moisturizing Tea Main Packaging, 2026.
Image #2: Designers Wang Yinghua, Jinyuan Zhang, Shunfeng Zhang and Huang Wanhui (Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Botanical and Han Inspired Illustration Series, 2026.
Image #3: Designers Xu Lianfa and Tang Guangyi (Packaging Engineer / Visual Designer), Light Luxury Gift Box Structure and Visual System, 2026.
Image #4: Designers Ma Lan, Wang Yinghua and Huang Wanhui (Product Designer / Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Ingredient Visualization and Cultural Motif Development, 2026.
Image #5: Designers Ma Lan, Tang Guangyi, Xu Lianfa and Zhifei Fu (Product Designer / Visual Designer / Packaging Engineer / Design Coordination), Integrated Packaging and Structural Realization, 2026. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Ma Lan, Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, 2026.
Packaging structure design patent pending. Patent Holder: Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts. 2026. China.
Visual system and illustration artworks are protected under applicable copyright laws.
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