The story so far: Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists, a step which locals hope will revitalise tourism and trade.
Centuries before national borders and geopolitical tensions defined regions, the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district served as a vital trade route between India and Tibet (now part of China). Situated at an elevation of 3,930 metres above sea level, the pass has been part of documented trade since the 15th century, although oral histories suggest its legacy extends even further back. According to folklore, cross-border trade was based on an oath sworn by communities on both sides — “Till the water in Kailash Man Sarovar Lake does not dry, a black crow does not turn white, and the highest peak Rijo Pugal does not flatten, this trade agreement shall continue.” This poetic pledge symbolised an enduring bond that withstood centuries, until political realities disrupted it.
