China’s Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on February 23 posted on X about the historic Tea Horse Road. The Tea Horse Road was an ancient trade network that linked China and India via Tibet, facilitating the exchange of tea, horses, and other goods for over a millennium.
Key Facts About the Tea Horse Road
- Not a single route – It was a network of paths spanning over 2,000 km.
- Connected southwest China (Yunnan, Sichuan) to Tibet, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Elevation up to 10,000 feet – The journey was treacherous, passing through rugged mountains and remote valleys.
Origins & Historical Importance
- Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE): Trade routes flourished, as described by Buddhist monk Yijing (635–713 CE).
- Key Trade Items:
- China to Tibet & India: Tea, silk, rice noodles, sugar
- Tibet to China: Horses, leather, gold, saffron, medicinal herbs
- Tea was essential for Tibetan nomads’ diet.
- China lacked horses, so it relied on Tibet and Yunnan for military and transportation needs.
(Source: Indian Express)
