# Ningxia: inventory and research for seven collections

Researched on 4 October 2026. This is an artistic brief, not evidence of an already completed generation. The map is a visual source; its captions and geographical placement are not automatically accepted as verified facts.

## Inventory of the source map

Helan Mountains, Liupanshan Mountains, Loess Plateau with yaodong dwellings; Yellow River, irrigation network and farming valley; Shizuishan with industrial structures; Yinchuan, Yongning, Wuzhong, Tongxin — mosque architecture; Hedong International Wine Region with a stylized tower and vines; Western Xia Imperial Tombs; Qingtongxia and the triangular group of 108 Pagodas; Zhongning — a large goji bush and a basket of red berries; Mu Us Desert, Tengger Desert; Sumeru/Xumishan Grottoes; Guyuan with a pagoda; Pengyang with cave dwellings; Liupanshan with a memorial tower; Eight Treasures Tea in a gaiwan and its ingredients. The wine map signature is not carried over: the tea design must not assert its exact geography. The mosques on the map are stylized, not precise measurements of today's buildings.

## Verified tea contexts and limitations

**Main tea context:** Ningxia Babao tea is included in the official list of regional intangible heritage with reference to Litong/Wuzhong (S2). The official cultural department page describes preparation training: take tea, brew, pour and share (S3). Therefore the composition is built around the real sequence of hospitality, not eight arbitrary emblems. The composition varies; we do not declare one set as the only canonical one.

**Plant basis:** Zhongning goji is registered by the Ministry of Agriculture as a regional product with a specific zone (S4). The goji bush/berry picking is real local agriculture; we do not present green tea in a gaiwan as local plantation production. The provincial cultural department separately names dijiao and goji-bud drinks (S5); these are alternative plant beverages, not a reason to draw Camellia bushes. In this series, for clarity, the main emphasis remains on berries and Babao.

**Limitations:** we do not transfer from tea.travel ratings of “best in the world,” world market share, medical promises, a mandatory number of cups, or fictional museum tea frescoes. Tombs, stupas, and rock temples are architecture, not proof of a specific ritual. The goal is to showcase tea professionals and ingredients, the connection of the desert to the irrigated garden.

## Sources

- **S1** — [tea.travel — Ningxia](https://tea.travel/en/region/ningxia/). Route and thematic landmarks; unconfirmed figures and legends are not used.
- **S2** — [Ningxia Government: intangible heritage list](https://www.nx.gov.cn/zwgk/qzfwj/201906/t20190611_1543985.html). Ningxia Babao tea, Wuzhong/Litong.
- **S3** — [Ningxia Culture Administration: Babao preparation practice](https://whhlyt.nx.gov.cn/xxfb/wlyw/202203/t20220309_3653862_zzb.html). Official description of the tea master class.
- **S4** — [Ministry of Agriculture: Zhongning goji](https://jgs.moa.gov.cn/nybz/201904/t20190418_6186028.htm). Geographically registered berries, not a tea bush.
- **S5** — [Ningxia Culture Department: various local drinks](https://whhlyt.nx.gov.cn/xxfb/hyxx/202212/t20221214_3887991.html). Individual herbal drinks and Babao, without medical interpretation.

## Seven compositional solutions

- **C1 — Tea constellation:** A gaiwan and a real goji branch are two forms linking raw material and hospitality.
- **C2 — Large letters — tea worlds:** The name NINGXIA is overgrown with lively tea activities and a berry branch.
- **C3 — Tea Territories:** The channel connects berry picking, blend composition and the tea courtyard.
- **C4 — Illustrated atlas:** A mountain atlas with a tomb, stupas, cave dwellings, and a large Babao table.
- **C5 — Parade of landmarks:** Tea procession with a double outline of the name and changing scale of architecture.
- **C6 — Travel lines:** The movement of the stream and the Yellow River connects the tea bowl, the harvest and Helan Mountain.
- **C7 — Based on real cups:** Nine large contour episodes: a real goji bush and living Babao practice.

## General parameters

English only. C7 contains only the main title; C1–C3 allow short verified captions. Native RGBA 3840 × 1280, significant elements in x60–3780/y110–1170; final central export 3840 × 1152, 250 × 75 mm. No mockup, opaque background, or fixed empty space ratio. Region palette: #8B343F, #A28E42, #447C7C, #C28A62, #8E83A3. C1 uses the first two inks, C2–C3 all five, C4–C7 the first three. The reference defines the manner, not the transfer of Guangdong subjects.