Panlaung-Pyadalin Cave Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary with caves in southern Shan State, Myanmar
Panlaung-Pyadalin Cave Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in southern Shan State, Myanmar, near the town of Ywangan. It covers limestone caves, dense teak forest, and river sections spread across hilly terrain.
The sanctuary was officially established in 2002 to protect the forests and wildlife of the area. Long before that, the Pyadalin caves were already known for wall paintings made around 11,000 years ago, pointing to human presence here since ancient times.
The Pyadalin caves inside the sanctuary have long been a gathering point for local communities who know their stories well. Today, visitors from outside the region come to see the ancient wall paintings and hear what they reveal about the people who once lived here.
The nearest town is Ywangan, and most visitors start their trip from there, often with a local guide who knows the trails and caves well. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are worth bringing, as the paths through the forest and into the caves can be uneven and tiring.
A new gecko species was discovered inside the sanctuary in 2002, the same year it was officially protected, showing how little the area had been studied before. Camera traps have since recorded clouded leopards and civets moving through the forest at night.
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