The 3,488-kilometer border between China and India, known as the Line of Actual Control, is one of the most contested and inaccessible frontiers on the planet. Winding through the formidable Himalayan mountain range, it is a place of immense strategic importance and long-standing military tension. For you as an international traveler, this border is effectively a closed line.
Despite the immense length of the border, there are currently no official land crossings open to foreign nationals for general travel. The entire frontier is heavily militarized on both sides, a direct result of unresolved territorial disputes that date back decades.
Historically, there were several important trade routes and passes, such as Nathu La in Sikkim and Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh. While Nathu La has been opened for limited, organized cross-border trade between locals, it is not accessible to tourists for the purpose of crossing into China. Other potential crossing points remain firmly shut.
Any plans for an overland journey between India and China are not currently feasible. You must not attempt to approach the border region without the proper permits, as it is a highly sensitive military zone. The political and military standoff means that this great Himalayan frontier remains an impassable barrier for travelers.