Indian nationals wait in a queue at a certificate office of public security bureau of Yadong County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 20, 2016. The first batch of 42 Indian pilgrims on Monday morning began a 12-day trip along a mountain pass linking India's Sikkim State to the sacred Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, marking the start of this year's pilgrimage. On June 22, 2015, China opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries. A total of 240 Indian pilgrims entered Tibet through Nathu La Pass last year. (Xinhua/Liu Dongjun) 

 An Indian pilgrim has his passport checked as he enters southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on June 20, 2016. The first batch of 42 Indian pilgrims began a 12-day trip along a mountain pass linking India's Sikkim State to the sacred Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, on Monday morning. On June 22, 2015, China opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries. A total of 240 indian pilgrims entered Tibet through Nathu La Pass last year. The quantity is expected to reach 350 this year. (Xinhua/Liu Dongjun) 

 Indian pilgrims pass Nathu La Pass to southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 20, 2016. The first batch of 42 Indian pilgrims on Monday morning began a 12-day trip along a mountain pass linking India's Sikkim State to the sacred Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, marking the start of this year's pilgrimage. On June 22, 2015, China opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries. A total of 240 Indian pilgrims entered Tibet through Nathu La Pass last year. (Xinhua/Liu Dongjun) 

An Indian national enters Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China, via Nathu La Pass on June 20, 2016. The first batch of 42 Indian pilgrims on Monday morning began a 12-day trip along a mountain pass linking India's Sikkim State to the sacred Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, marking the start of this year's pilgrimage. On June 22, 2015, China opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries. A total of 240 Indian pilgrims entered Tibet through Nathu La Pass last year. (Xinhua/Liu Dongjun) 

 Indian pilgrims queue to pass China's Customs in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 20, 2016. The first batch of 42 Indian pilgrims on Monday morning began a 12-day trip along a mountain pass linking India's Sikkim State to the sacred Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, marking the start of this year's pilgrimage. On June 22, 2015, China opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries. A total of 240 Indian pilgrims entered Tibet through Nathu La Pass last year. (Xinhua/Liu Dongjun)