Padah-Lin Caves

Padah-Lin Caves comprise nine chambers linked along a north-south line, with three major sinkholes allowing daylight to penetrate the limestone passages. Red ochre paintings and hundreds of carved patterns cover the walls throughout these interconnected spaces.

Archaeological work between 1969 and 1972 uncovered stone tools including choppers, blades, and scrapers from deposits reaching back roughly 65,000 years. This location reveals how people inhabited the region during these distant periods.

The walls display hand prints and depictions of animals in red ochre, created by ancient inhabitants who left their mark on the stone. Hundreds of carved patterns tell the story of how early people used and decorated this space.

Access is by hiking trails through Panlaung Reserved Forest, with guided tours available to explain the ancient artworks and geological features. Sturdy footwear and a light source are useful since some passages remain dark and the ground can be uneven.

Several Buddhist stupas of different sizes stand within the cave chambers, blending religious practice with ancient history at the same location. This layering shows how different cultures have used this sacred space across thousands of years.