Overview
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About Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are one of the most famous places in Kuala Lumpur, and perhaps even in the whole of Malaysia. It is a temple complex in a series of limestone caves.
The caves themselves exist for over 400 million years, but it was only in the 1800s that China started to use the caves for their farming. In 1878, the American naturalist William ‘discovered’ the Batu caves and revealed them to the world. Only a few years later, in 1890, the leader of the Tamil Hindu community in Malaysia decided to use the Batu caves as a Hindu Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, the God of war and victory. There was a shrine built inside the caves, which is now one of the largest and most popular Hindu shrines in the world outside of India.
Over the years, statues were put inside the Batu caves together with the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. With its 42,7 m, it is even the biggest Lord Murugan statue and the 3rd tallest Hindu statue in the world. The 272 stairs were built in 1940 and it was only in 2018 that they got their famous rainbow colors.
The holy festival Thaipusam celebrating Lord Murugan, is still held annually, attracting pilgrims to the Batu Caves. It is one of the most sacred festivals for Tamils in Malaysia. So Batu Caves are not only a beautiful place with some very unique features, but also a religious site where you can learn more about the Hindu religion.
Practical
The entrance to Batu Caves is free.
The Batu Caves are daily open from 07:00 am until 09:00 pm
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How to get to there
The Batu Caves are located around 13km north of the city center of Kuala Lumpur. Luckily, the caves are very easy to reach and there are multiple ways to get there.
To get to the Batu Caves on your own, you can take the train, a bus, or a taxi/Grab. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour, which can also be very interesting if you prefer to get more information about the Batu caves.
By Train
The easiest and fastest option to reach the Batu Caves by public transportation is the KTM train. It departs regularly from KL Sentral station and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the Batu caves. The price is around 3 MYR one way.
By Bus
It is also possible to the the city bus to the Batu caves. However, traffic can be very busy in Kuala Lumpur, so the train will be a faster and more efficient option.
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By Taxi/Grab
The fastest option to get to the Batu Caves is taking a taxi or Grab. The caves are around a 15-minute drive from the city center of Kuala Lumpur. The price mainly depends on the time of day and where you depart. We paid about 18 MYR one way, early in the morning.
By Tour
If you prefer not to have to arrange your own transportation, you can always choose to join an organized tour to the Batu Caves. During such a tour, you often receive extra interesting background information from a local guide and you sometimes also visit other interesting places in the area.
Best time to visit Batu Caves
You can visit Kuala Lumpur and therefore also the Batu Caves, year round. The area has a hot and humid climate, with temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees Celcius. Officially, wet season runs from October to March, with the heaviest rain during March and April. However, due to its humid climate, you can expect some rain all year round. Luckily, the rain usually doesn’t last long.
Sacred festivals are sometimes held at the Batu Caves. The largest festival is Thaipusam which takes place every year at the end of January or the beginning of February. Processions will take place at the caves and there will be large crowds of pilgrims. It’s worth checking if there’s an event going on at the Batu Caves prior to your visit. However, it might be a very unique experience to witness.
As for the best time during the day to visit, it’s best to visit Batu Caves as early as possible to beat both the crowds and the heath.
Tips for visiting Batu Caves
The stairs are high and steep
The rainbow staircase to Batu Caves has 272 steps and is quite steep. Definitely don't underestimate this. Wear decent shoes and climb the stairs carefully.
Be aware of the monkeys
In the area of the Batu Caves, there is a good chance that you will encounter monkeys. They are mischievous and like to try to take everything loose from you. It is therefore better not to bring food or snacks to the Batu Caves, because they might smell it.
Dresscode
Since the Batu Caves is a sacred place, you are expected to dress modestly. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. If you have shorts, you can borrow a sarong at the bottom of the stairs.
Bring water
Don't underestimate the steep 272 stairs, especially if you go a little later in the day when the temperatures rise. Therefore, be sure to bring enough water when visiting Batu Caves.
Dark Cave is closed
At the Batu Caves, there used to be another cave, called the Dark Cave. It's entrance is located halfway the rainbow stairs, but it appears to be permanently closed.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
The most famous areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are Bukit Bintang, the city center, KLCC and Petaling Street (China Town). You will find plenty of accommodations in these areas for every budget, such as hotels, hostels, homestays, and guesthouses. In these areas, you also find many bars and restaurants are located and it’s close to some famous sights or the metro.
Hotels
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Other Things to Do near Batu Caves
There are plenty of other things to do in Kuala Lumpur besides the Batu Caves, such as the KL Tower, Perdana Botanical Gardens, the Petronas Twin Towers, the Federal Territory Mosque and so much more. You can read everything about it in our guide to the 17 best things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
