__NOTOC__ Shipki La is a mountain pass and border post with a dozen buildings of significant size on the Indo-China border. The river Sutlej, which is called Langqên Zangbo in Tibet, enters India (from China) near this pass. A spur road on the Indian side rises to an altitude of four km southwest of Shipki La.
The pass is on the border between the Kinnaur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, and the Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, China. The pass is one of India's border trading points with Tibet along with Nathu La in Sikkim, and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand. The pass is close to the town of Khab.
Currently the road at the pass is used only for small-scale local trade across the border. Historically, trade through Shipki La was closely connected with the commercial networks of the Sutlej Valley and Bushahr State. One of the most important trade events associated with this trans-Himalayan exchange was the annual Lavi Fair held at Rampur Bushahr in November. Traders from Tibet, Kinnaur and the surrounding Himalayan regions gathered at the fair to exchange goods such as wool, pashm, salt and other commodities. The term “Lavi” is believed to be derived from the local word 'loi' meaning raw wool, which was among the principal items traded. Although Tibetan traders no longer participate as they did in the past, the fair continues today as an important commercial and cultural event in the region. Like other border passes along the Indo-China border, it is not open for non-residents. Most people travelling between India and Tibet by land travel via Nepal.
Geography
Captain Robert Hamond, who travelled from Gartok to the Bashahr State via Shipki La in 1939, described his journey as follows:
Sino-Indian trade It was suggested NH 5 could be used as a route for land access to the Arabian Sea as the Karakoram Highway is much more treacherous for transport. This opening of the border at Shipki La is claimed to potentially increase trade on both sides of the border.
See also Nathula Lipulekh Tashigang India-China Border Roads Line of Actual Control List of disputed territories of India
References
External links Photos of the pass on Flickr