Batu Caves, complex of limestone grottoes in Peninsular Malaysia. The caves are one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions and are a place of pilgrimage for Tamil Hindus. They are named for the Sungai Batu (Batu River), which flows nearby, and are located 7 miles (13 km) north of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
The Batu Caves are located within a high limestone outcropping. A colossal gold-painted statue of Murugan, made from reinforced concrete and 140 feet (42.7 metres) in height, stands near the base of a flight of 272 steps. As visitors climb the steps, they are frequently accosted by macaques begging aggressively for food. At the top of the steps is the entrance to the largest cave, called Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave. Within it is the largest of several temples on the site. At a lower level on the flight of steps is Dark Cave, which is sometimes closed to visitors. Other caves lie still closer to the base of the steps. Ramayana Cave has an entrance marked with a statue of the monkey god Hanuman, hero of the Indian epic poem Ramayana. The cave itself is lined with dioramas depicting scenes from the epic. The Cave Villa, which includes Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, features more paintings and statues.
The Batu Caves aren’t just a holy site for Hindu faithful — they’re also an Instagrammers’ paradise.The area features four main sites. Cave Villa and Ramayana Cave each charge a nominal fee of 15 Malaysian ringgit (or about $3.60) for entry.The Dark Cave, once the site of adventure tours, has been closed since February 2019 and no reopening date has been set.The main attraction though is the Temple Cave. The entry fee is not Ringgit but calories, as visitors must ascend 400 feet (123 meters) into the 400-million-year-old limestone caverns.Twenty volunteers spent three days in 2018 painting the cave’s 272 steps in a colorful gradient that leaves visitors staring in awe. Inside there are two Hindu shrines, colorfully adorned and completely dwarfed by the 300-foot high walls that rises up around them.Up a set of steep stairs in the back of the cave, the rock walls give way to the sky, offering otherworldly views.
Know before you go
Whether it’s monsoon season or not (generally March to April and September through November), the afternoons tend to be wetter than the mornings.Plus, the city is on the 8th degree of latitude — it gets steamy. With all of those stairs to climb, you’ll be better off getting there right when they open the gates, at around 7:30 a.m.Getting there is easy — it’s just a 20-minute ride from the city center. Take a taxi or use the Grab app to hail a ride, which will set you back only 18 ringgit (a little more than $4).
If you want to enter any of the shrines, you’re required to remove your shoes.If you bring any food to the caves — or buy any from the vendors on site — keep a watchful eye on it. Packs of monkeys roam the hills and climb the steps alongside humans, often begging for — and sometimes stealing — food.
