Phowintaugn Cave

Phowintaung Cave is a Buddhist cave complex in Northern Burma. It is situated on the Chindwin River's western bank. The complex's name translates to "Mountain of Isolated Solitary Meditation."

There are 947 small and big caves in the complex, many of which are lavishly adorned. It is carved into a sandstone outcropping and has multiple carved Buddha sculptures as well as geometric designs and Jataka tales mural paintings. The statues and paintings are thought to date from the 14th through the 18th centuries.

It can be reached directly from Monywa via the new bridge or by taking a boat across the Chindwin and then hiring a vehicle at the lovely Nyaungbin settlement.

Other Buddha statues have been carved into sandstone outcrops at the Phowintaung caves, along with several mural paintings of geometric patterns and scenes from the Jataka story.

The Jataka tales are a large collection of Indian literature that tells stories about Gautama Buddha's previous lives. These legends describe Buddha's prior lives as both a person and an animal. Buddha appears in several incarnations in this literaure, such as a monarch, an elephant, an outcast, and even God.

Location: Monywa District, Sagaing Region