Nathu La Pass - An Ancient Silk Route (also spelt Ntula, Natu La, Nathu la, Natula) is a pass on the Indo-China border connecting the Indian state of Sikkim with South Tibet. The pass, located at an elevation of 4,310 m (14,200 feet) above mean sea level, forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route. After remaining closed for more than 40 years, the pass is due to open for trade on 2006-07-06. The pass is useful for indo-china foreign trade promotion.

The route leading up to the pass is one of the world's highest navigable roads, and is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, a wing of the Indian Army. On the Pass the Indian army and the Chinese border guards are within touching distance of each other. To visit the Indian side of Nathu La, a visitor's permit must be made one day in advance, which is done by any travel agency
The pass is 56 kilometers east of the capital Gangtok. Although just 5 km north of the Jelepla pass, the Nathu La pass is not navigable in winters as it receives heavy snowfall. Temperatures in Nathu La regularly dip to -25 °C in winters. The pass is open only to Indian nationals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. On other days is it in use for exclusive military use. A no man's land is absent, and the border consists of a barbed wire fence. Every Thursdays and Sunday post between the two nations are exchanged, a tradition dating back many decades.

Veteran climber John Easton wrote:
“The wind swept, cold and pure, cut against our faces whistled in our ears filled our eyes with tears, but all unheeded as we gazed at the marvel stretched before us. For all doubts faded and fears were dispelled as before us stretched immortality. Purification, a revelation of the world as God sees it. Where no man has stepped to mar it. "