Batu Caves in Malaysia is a must-visit location
One of the key highlights of our trip to Kuala Lumpur was visiting the Batu Caves. After seeing countless stunning photographs, it had been on my travel bucket list for years.
If you’re looking for tips for your upcoming visit to this magnificent destination, this guide is for you. Even if Kuala Lumpur isn’t on your itinerary anytime soon, the incredible photos here will surely inspire you to add Batu Caves to your travel list.
What are the Batu Caves?
The Batu Caves comprise a series of caves located on a limestone hill just outside of Kuala Lumpur in Gombak, Selangor. To reach the main cave, you need to climb a total of 272 steps. At the entrance, you’ll be greeted by a towering statue of Lord Murugan, the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world. The caves house a significant Hindu shrine, drawing over a million visitors each year, particularly during the Thaipusam festival.
How Many Steps Lead to the Top of Batu Caves?
You may find it reassuring that there are only 272 steps to climb! At first, this may seem daunting, but the ascent provides a good workout and isn’t as exhausting as it appears.
Encountering Hanuman
Statue of Hindu God Hanuman
As we stepped out of the station, the first statue we encountered was that of Hanuman. It was truly impressive and attracted many visitors eager to take photos. Hanuman is also a figure seen in Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. I grew up recognizing him as the Monkey King from ‘Journey to the West.’ Interestingly, I didn’t realize that I had encountered various interpretations of the Monkey King across Asia until recently.
Continuing towards the Batu Caves, we discovered a small temple at the foot of the hill, accompanied by crowds of monkeys frolicking around.
A small temple at the bottom of the Batu Caves
The Majestic Lord Murugan Statue
Lord Murugan Statue
This magnificent statue stands at over 140 feet tall, making it the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity globally. Remarkably, more than 300 liters of gold paint were used for this statue.
The Journey Up Batu Cave Steps
Monkeys observing visitors, or rather… banana hunting?
The moment you approach the attraction, you’ll notice the monkeys eyeing you for any food they can snag. Many tourists unwittingly lost their snacks to these mischievous creatures, unaware of the warning against displaying food.
Interestingly, there are many stands selling bananas nearby. I couldn’t help but wonder if these were for the tourists or for the monkeys. Either way, it always seems that the monkeys manage to get the bananas. It was amusing to watch tourists getting their bananas snatched right as they were about to take a bite.
Surprisingly Manageable Batu Cave Steps
We made it to the top!
We mentally prepared ourselves for the long climb, which turned out to be more manageable than we expected. It took us around 15-20 minutes to reach the top, but we made several stops to take photos and steer clear of the playful monkeys. Although the stairs were steep and narrow and lacked handrails, the journey was entirely doable.
For those with a fear of heights, my advice is to keep climbing and avoid looking back!
Sri Murugan Swami (Temple Cave)
Just one more set of stairs to reach the Temple Cave
The Temple Cave is the largest of the three main caves in Batu Caves. Observing the ongoing rituals was fascinating, even though I didn’t fully understand what was happening.
Curious about the proceedings happening inside the cave
Batu Caves Dark Cave Tour
Witnessing stunning stalactites and stalagmites during the dark caves tour
As we descended, we noticed a tour for the Dark Cave and decided to join the next session. Fortunately, we ended up with a private tour since we arrived late for the previous one, which turned out to be a great stroke of luck.
Equipped with helmets and flashlights, we ventured into the hot and humid cave. As we moved further into the darkness, I felt a twinge of fear hearing bats nearby yet not seeing them. Our guide advised against shining flashlights above, as it could stress the bats, who tend to react by relieving themselves on unsuspecting visitors.
The cave was hot and humid, and as we trekked deeper, we were enveloped in utter darkness. It was an eerie experience to open my eyes and find complete blackness. At one point, we reached a wind tunnel, which provided a refreshing breeze amidst the humidity.
The only point in the cave where sunlight penetrated through
During our tour, we often paused to observe unique cave creatures such as centipedes and tiny worms. At one moment, we turned on our flashlights and were startled to find a rat scurrying near my feet. Thankfully, the light was enough to scare it away.
History of the Batu Caves Dark Cave
These caves, over 400 million years old, possess a significant amount of history. The area was once submerged underwater, which formed the limestone surrounding it from the shells and corals.
The most valuable aspect of these caves is the bat guano (i.e., bat droppings), which supports the cave ecosystem. Interestingly, Chinese settlers began harvesting bat guano in the 1800s for use as fertilizer, resulting in mountain-like piles formed by years of accumulation.
Alongside bats, the caves are home to numerous unique creatures, including the endangered trapdoor spider. I encountered various strange insects and worms, but many of them creeped me out, so I didn’t capture too many photos of the wildlife.
A less creepy insect encountered during the tour
Historically, the caves suffered from vandalism when unrestricted public access was allowed. To protect this unique environment, entry to the Dark Caves is now restricted to guided tours. Inside the cave sits a lonely bench, reminding visitors of the destructive past.
Details of the vandalized walls behind the bench
Once our 45-minute tour concluded, we began our journey back down the challenging Batu Caves steps.
Monkeys at Batu Caves Steps
Heading back down from the Batu Caves
Descending proved a bit tricky as I had to remain vigilant about where I was stepping, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the monkeys. Those little troublemakers were everywhere, jumping on the railings and into my path. Additionally, there was a fair amount of monkey droppings, so care was needed when holding onto the rails.
One of the many monkeys roaming the area
Batu Caves Temple Hours and Ideal Visit Times
The caves are open year-round from 7 AM to 7 PM. We originally planned to visit early to avoid crowds, but we ended up arriving in the afternoon. While it was busy, it didn’t detract from our experience.
Batu Caves Dress Code
Batu Caves is a sacred site for Hindus, and dressing appropriately is essential. Make sure your shoulders are covered and your shorts reach at least your knees. Sarongs are available for rent on-site if needed.
Batu Caves Entrance Fee
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.
How to Reach Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves is located about 17 kilometers from KL and is easily accessible by public transportation. The most convenient way is by taking the train from KL Sentral Station.
Buses and taxis are also options, though the traffic in Malaysia can make these less attractive if you want a hassle-free experience.
Getting to Batu Caves from KL Sentral
KL Sentral Station
To get to the Batu Caves, simply make your way to KL Sentral Station and take the KTM Komuter Train. The ride lasts about 30 minutes with no transfers needed. If you feel lost at the station, just ask at the information desk for assistance.
During peak hours, trains depart approximately every 15 minutes, and every 20-30 minutes during off-peak times.
Once you reach the Batu Caves KTM Komuter Station, it’s just a short walk to the caves.
Important Notes for Visiting Batu Caves
- There are rock climbing opportunities at the base of the caves, along with scrambling and bouldering.
- Avoid bringing food or bags; if you must, hide them from the monkeys, as they will try to steal them.
- Bathroom facilities are located at ground level and there is a small fee. Bring your own toilet paper and make sure to go before starting your ascent.
Climbing the Batu Caves Steps: A Memorable Afternoon Adventure
The stunning cliffs surrounding Batu Caves
We spent about half a day exploring and climbing the Batu Cave steps while also participating in the Dark Caves tour. It’s undoubtedly worth the trip to experience this beautiful site, and it will be one of the most unforgettable highlights of your visit to Malaysia.
SAVE THIS FOR LATER
This post was originally published in December 2017 and last updated in February 2020.
