Editorial photo #13684084 Social Issue

Old Silk Route - The Old Indo-China Trade Route - Indian Himalaya

The Old Silk Route is visible at Zuluk, Sikkim, India, on April 17, 2026. This ancient trade network connected China to India, passing through East Sikkim, Lhasa, Nathu La, and Jelep La Pass to reach the port of Tamralipta (now Tamluk, West Bengal). Established in the 1st Century AD, the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, contributing significantly to the development of civilizations. In East Sikkim, this high-altitude corridor transported caravans of wool, salt, and silk between Tibet and British India, navigating steep ridges and cloud-forests at elevations of 10,000 to 14,500 feet, from the Teesta Valley to the trans-Himalayan plateau. The eastern route offers a drier landscape compared to the lush western slopes, featuring alpine grass and vibrant rhododendrons. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)