Darjeeling (图)

A temple in the sky, where prayers are written for the winds to flutter away to distant lands. Amidst the many splendoured mountains at altitudes up to 2159 metres, where Earth meets heaven, you can encounter breathtaking beauty, mystery and magic.

Small wonder that Darjeeling Tea, growing in these surroundings, is imbued with an incomparable charisma and quality. The tea gardens planted in these regions over a century ago, with pedigreed bushes, have gifted the world with the finest teas. Flavoured by nature, these traditions are perpetuated with uncommon determination and excellence, pursued with unhurried resolve.

Tea that has no equal. So rare and unique is its flavour that it cannot be replicated anywhere in the world. Two leaves and a bud, hand picked and processed to release a sun burst of flavour. Flavour that has been described as reminiscent of muscadine grapes or, muscatel. With a bouquet that's as splendid and pleasing as a garden abloom with summer roses, and sometimes the fragrance of ripe peaches.

The distinctive, exclusive and rare character of Darjeeling Tea is a result of several factors. The tea gardens are situated at elevations from 600m to 2150m on steep slopes which provide ideal natural drainage for the generous rainfall the district receives.

Legend has it that the thunderbolt of Lord Indra (the king of the heavens in Hindu scriptures), fell at the place where the Observatory Hill now stands. The Tibetan words, "Dorje", meaning the thunderbolt and "Ling", a place, form "Dorje-ling", or, "Land of the Thunderbolt".