Sangla Valley or the Baspa Valley starts at Sangla and ends at Chitkul. The valley is surrounded by forested slopes and offers views of the high mountains. Its location in the greater Himalayan range gives it a milder climate than the plains. Until 1989 outsiders could not enter the valley without a special permit from the Government of India, due to its strategic position on the Indo-Tibet/China
border.[citation needed] The Baspa River flows in the Sangla Valley which is rich in pine nut orchards, Royal red apples, cherry trees, and glacial streams with trout. The main villages in the valley villages include Sangla, Kamroo, Chitkul, Rakcham, and Batseri. Sangla Valley is a part of Kinnaur and inhibited by Kinnauris. The main livelihood is agriculture while apples are a major cash crop here. The most significant achievement of this region which is worth laudable is that this area boasts of growing the world's best quality potatoes. The weather along with the soil are both conducive to its exclusive and superior variety and quality. The valley remains closed for four months during winter (from December till march) when the snowfall is heavy. The old Indo-Tibet road connects Sangla to The National Highway 18 at Karcham.
