Dharamshala, June 11 -- For the first time, Shipki-La, a high-altitude 3,930 metres motorable mountain pass bordering India and China in Himachal's tribal district of Kinnaur, has been opened for tourists who can now visit simply by carrying an Aadhar card and token.

Chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday launched border tourism activities at Shipki-La. The move is aimed to boost the local economy and promote tourism in border areas in the hill state.

Last month, officials said the state government had asked the ministry of defence to allow tourism activities in the border areas of the state in Lepcha, Shipki-La, Giu and Rani Kanda and the ministry has given go ahead in this regard.

The border tourism initiative, launche...