Picture shows the tea and horse road, paralleled by the Yalong River. Along this unpaved and often rugged road, tea, salt and sugar flowed into Tibet, while horses, cows, furs, musk and other local products that were exclusive to Tibet came out. [Photo/dili360] 

Over the past centuries, along the unpaved and often rugged road, tea, salt and sugar flowed into Tibet; while horses, cows, furs, musk and other local products that were exclusive to Tibet came out.

According to Gesar, the greatest epic of the Tibetans, the road serves more like a bridge of friendship between the Hans and the Tibetans than a commercial path. Meanwhile, the road also promotes exchanges in culture, religion and ethnic migration, resembling the role of the Silk Road.

Besides its cultural and historic value, the road has also been highly appreciated by adventurers and scientists. It passes through subtropical forests, picturesque lakes and turbulent rivers, such as Lang Cangjiang River, Nujiang River, Minjiang River and Yarlung Zangbo River.

Picture shows the Hengduan Moutains, across which run the Hengduan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau -- an area of the most complicated geological conditions and most diversified organisms. [Photo/dili360]

A SUV slides on the ancient bridge above the Yalong River. The Ancient Tea-Horse Road is also highly appreciated by adventurers and scientists besides its commercial, cultural and historic value. [Photo/dili360]