Sikkim to open Doklam & Cho La for battlefield tourism in September: ACS C Subhakar Rao

Sikkim is set to open two new high-altitude locations—Doklam and Cho La—for battlefield tourism starting the first week of September. 
 

This was announced by Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, C Subhakar Rao.

Speaking about the development, Rao said, “In January, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the launch of battlefield tourism in India. Around 30 sites were identified across the country, and three of them are in Sikkim. One is Nathu La, which we have been using for many years. Now, two more—Doklam and Cho La—are being prepared to open.”

The move aims to honour the strategic and historical significance of these locations while boosting eco-sensitive and patriotic tourism in the Himalayan state. Doklam, near the India-Bhutan-China trijunction, and Cho La, a site of past military engagement, carry immense geopolitical relevance.

With plans to formally open in early September, the state government is working in coordination with defence authorities to ensure security protocols and controlled access for tourists. The initiative aligns with the Centre’s larger vision of making battlefield tourism a prominent theme, blending history, national pride, and tourism promotion.