Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s2.6

v2.c13.s2.6

A lesser-known route of transport between India and China during the War was the old Tea-Horse Road (茶马路), which had traditionally been one of the main commercial arteries connecting Yunnan and Tibet. With the closure of the Burma Road, even an old low-profile trade route like this one assumed strategic importance. Mainly non-military goods from eastern India, which were in short supply in China, were taken first to Kalimpong in north Bengal. From there, they were loaded onto horses, mules and yaks to be transported to Lijiang in Yunnan via Tibet. Approximately 8,000 mules and horses and 20,000 yaks were involved in what came to be known as Operation Caravan.