- Address: Padah-Lin Caves, Taunggyi, Myanmar
- Year of foundation: 1937
- Host rocks: limestone
Padalin caves are located in the Taunggyi district of Shan, Myanmar . They are two limestone caves, which consist of chambers and narrow passages from north to south, with stalactites on the ceiling, ancient rock carvings on the walls, and since 1994 the Padalin caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Until now, the interest of scientists in these caves is very great, because archaeological excavations there were practically not carried out. According to known data it is assumed that in ancient times caves were used to make stone tools.
What should I look for?
When you arrive at the site, you will see one large cave with nine chambers that are connected by narrow aisles. At the entrance to the cave, in its eastern part, stands a small Buddhist pagoda. In the cave there are three large "windows" - they formed when the showers washed the rock and created natural light in the caves. Also inside a large number of stalactites, which in this light cast mysterious shadows on the rocky walls. Several pagodas of various sizes were also built in the chambers of the cave. On the walls there were ancient ocher patterns, some of them can not be deciphered anymore. showers continue to wash the rock art. From what remains, you can see the drawings of elephants, wild boars, mountain goats, calves with a cow, fish, bulls, bison, rings that symbolize the sunrise from the mountains, and there are drawings of people at work that make stone tools.
How to visit?
In order to get to the caves, it is best to hire a taxi or a motor-rickshaw, which is very common in Asia, because public transport here goes seldom and irregularly. The Padalin caves are located in the Panlaung Reserved Forest reserve, near the Nwalabo mountain. From the bus stop, you need to change to a boat and swim along the reservoir, then walk for about an hour on the forest road. At the end of the path you will see caves. Be prepared for the local people to be very wary of visitors and may ask for a passport, and in some cases the police can even pick it up and give it back only after inspecting the caves. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to go to caves without a local guide.
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