Himachal Pradesh to open areas near India-China border for tourists

Himachal Pradesh will open areas near India-China border, including strategically important Shipki La pass, for tourists.

A beginning will be made on Tuesday with Shipki La, which is a high-altitude mountain pass that has been an old trade route between India and Tibet. It has an Army post and the border is manned by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). So far, it was open for local residents and for limited trade between India and Tibet. Now, working with defence personnel and ITBP, Himachal Pradesh government has decided to ease restrictions and open up Shipki La Pass for tourists and adventure enthusiasts.

Aadhar card, Limited visitors
Any Indian resident will be able to visit this pass after furnishing an Aadhaar card. The Army will restrict the number of tourists per day. The initial plan is to allow 30 tourists per hour and 210 tourists a day. The tourists will be allowed to go till the border check post and come back. No photography of the strategic posts will be allowed.

Speaking to ET, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, "We have been working with defence ministry for the last one and a half years to open up border areas for tourism in a restricted manner. We will first open Shipki La pass. Earlier, a permit was required for this area. This will be a big step for people of Kinnaur as we expect more tourist footfalls because of this."

Tourists will be able to see the Chinese checkout and even roads within Chinese territory as at this spot the Indian checkout is at a higher level. Sukhu said, "This is just the first step. We will open more areas along India-China border." Himachal government is working towards opening Kaurik and Rangrik areas in Spiti district.

Shipki La is in picturesque Kinnaur district at 4,000 m above sea level and is mostly snow covered and inaccessible during winter months. The state has now decided to use the summer months to open up the area for tourism.