A Sikkimese Shangri-La
Many stories are told about the existence of Shangri-La in the Himalaya. The search for Ney-Pemathang or Dema-Zong, is known to have been made twice in Sikkim, most recently in the early 1960s. Local people recall the arrival in Yuksam of Rimpoche Tarten Tarzey Lingpa from Ladakh.

Many Yuksam residents joined the group and trekked into the area surrounding Mount Khangchendzonga. After spending several months in the area, the followers grew impatient for the Rimpoche to open the "gateway" to Ney-Pemathang. Unfortunately, while preparing to open the way, the Rimpoche and his followers died in an avalanche, and Ney-Pemathang remained unopened. According to legend, among the three Tartens who know of the location of Ney-Pemathang, two have failed to open the gate. The last Tarten is expected to be born in the 21^st century, and people still talk of the place where life is immortal and  where one grain of rice can feed the whole population of Ney-Pemathang