Nathu La
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Overview
Nathu La is a pass between Sikkim and Tibet on an old trade route. Border trade through it reopened in 2006.
It is also a route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, along with Lipulekh.
It lies at about 4,310 m on the Sikkim–Tibet border in East Sikkim, linking Gangtok to the Chumbi valley.
It was part of a branch of the old silk route and saw clashes between India and China in 1967.
Sherathang on the Indian side serves as the trade mart, and the pass is closed for trade during winter.
Geography and key facts
- Sikkim–Tibet pass
- Border trade reopened in 2006
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route
- About 4,310 m
- 1967 clashes
- Trade mart at Sherathang
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on the Himalayan pass reopened for trade in 2006 (2007).
Note for UPSC
Sikkim–Tibet pass; border trade reopened in 2006 and it is a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route.
Passes are often asked as state–pass pairs or in a north-to-south order; learn which places each pass links.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2007 · Q17Which one of the following Himalayan passes was reopened in the middle of the year 2006 to facilitate trade between India and China?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Nathu La.
Key facts
- Type
- Mountain pass
- State / UT
- Sikkim
- Coordinates
- 27.387°N, 88.831°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2007
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.