Nathula Pass was a major corridor of passage between India and Tibet before it was closed in 1962. Located around 56 kms from Gangtok at an altitude of 14450 ft, the road to Nathula passes through the Tsomgo lake. It is one of the highest motorable roads in the world and is richly surrounded by alpine flora. On a clear day you can even see the road winding down the Chumbi valley. Tourists are allowed to go close to the international border from where you can see Chinese soldiers on the other side of the barbed wire.
After Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950 there were major migration of Tibetans to India through the Pass. Today Tibetan migrants constitute a substantial part of the population of the Sikkim and Darjeeling hills. During the 1962 Indo-Chinese war, the Nathula Pass witnessed heavy fighting between the two countries. Since then the boarder remained closed until recently.
The boarder was opened for trade on July 6th, 2006 after prolonged negotiation between the two countries. Dignitaries from both countries met at Nathula on this historic occasion and trade between the two countries resumed on a limited number of items. The future of the pass seems to be bright as state and the Central government plans big for the Pass. Tourism may also get a major boost as the boarder is planned to be opened for tourists in the future.
At present the tourists are allowed to get close to the international boarder and the Chinese soldiers can be seen protecting their side of the boarder. On specific days the Chinese authorities also allows tourists to visit the area and on those days the tourists of the two countries can see one another.
