About Batu Caves
Batu Caves, a series of limestone caves and cave temples, is a top attraction in Kuala Lumpur.
Situated in Gombak, Selangor (just outside of Kuala Lumpur’s city center), this iconic site is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is recognized by its colossal golden statue and the vibrant 272-step staircase leading to the main cave.
Batu Caves is believed to be roughly 400 million years old and has a fascinating history behind it. It was originally used as a shelter for indigenous people and also as a spot where early Chinese settlers gathered guano, or bat droppings, to use as fertilizer for their vegetable crops.
In 1878, the limestone hills were recorded and made popular by William Hornaday, an American naturalist.
The biggest transformation of Batu Caves occurred when Indian Tamil trader and businessman K. Thamboosamy Pillay built and dedicated a shrine to Lord Murugan (a Hindu god) within the largest part of the cave complex. He then promoted Batu Caves as a site of worship in the 1890s, and this is where the Thaipusam festival has been celebrated ever since.
Today, Batu Caves is a bucket-list-worthy destination because you can walk through a series of caves within the limestone hills. This religious site is where you will see huge Hindu god statues, colorful temples, famous shrines, and beautiful landscapes.
Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips
First, before we jump into all the things you need to know before visiting Batu Caves, let’s cover the essentials and tips to help you have a more fun, enjoyable, and safer trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Stay connected with an eSIM
Instantly connect to the internet on your arrival in Kuala Lumpur by buying an eSIM package in advance.
- eSIM packages on Airalo (get $3 off the first purchase with code MATEJ1033)
Book trusted tours
Kuala Lumpur is easy to explore on your own, but for some guided experiences, we recommend booking the top-rated ones on Viator or GetYourGuide.
A convenient way to explore Kuala Lumpur while also saving money on attractions and tours is with the Kuala Lumpur Klook Pass.
Get travel insurance
While Kuala Lumpur is a safe destination, we recommend getting travel insurance for any trip outside your country. We highly recommend an insurance package from Heymondo. And as our reader, you get 5% off the price.
Getting around
The KL TravelPass Metro Card gives you a one-way or round-trip KLIA Express train ride from the airport, including 2 days of unlimited rides on the Monorail, LRT, and MRT (top-ups available).
ATM fees
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Travel map
We have compiled a Kuala Lumpur Travel Map, which you can refer to when exploring.
Opening hours and tickets
Batu Caves is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and entry to the main cave complex is free.
Other sections, like the Cave Villa and Ramayana Cave, have separate opening times and entry fees.
Cave Villa is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and the entrance fee is RM 15 (around $3) for non-Malaysians. Ramayana Cave, on the other hand, costs RM 5 (around $1) and is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Don’t forget to read the Complete Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
Dress code for Batu Caves
While you explore Batu Caves, you might catch a Hindu ceremony in progress or even see many locals dressed in traditional clothing as they make their offerings. This is because Batu Caves is still an active and sacred place of worship, so it’s no surprise that tourists are also required to follow the proper dress code.
The dress code for visiting Batu Caves requires both men and women to cover their shoulders and knees. Although men can usually wear shorts that go above the knees, the rules for women are more strict.
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Arijana usually wears long linen pants or a maxi dress while visiting the temples. Having a sarong with you is also useful as you can easily cover your shoulders or knees when needed.
We also recommend Unbound Merino, our favorite travel clothes. Their shirts are great as they dry super fast after getting sweaty (which you will), and unlike other clothes, they don’t stink up after one wear, so you can reuse them a lot.
How to get to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves are easily reachable from Kuala Lumpur, but it might take some time to get there as they’re located a bit outside of the city.
1. By Grab/taxi
Booking a Grab car or taking a taxi can be more pricey when compared to other options, but it’s the easiest and most comfortable way to get to Batu Caves. Just be aware that the traffic from getting in and out of Kuala Lumpur’s city center may lengthen the ride.
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2. By train
For a more authentic local experience, hop on the KTM Komuter train at KL Sentral station. After the pleasant 40-minute ride, reaching the Batu Caves’ entry point requires a bit of walking.
TRAVEL TIP
The KL TravelPass Metro Card gives you a one-way or round-trip KLIA Express train ride from the airport, including 2 days of unlimited rides on the Monorail, LRT, and MRT (top-ups available).
3. By bus
Alternatively, you can take the bus, like the ones stationed at Bukit Bintang or Pudu Sentral in Kuala Lumpur. Taking the bus is also affordable, but the journey may be longer than the train because of the indirect routes.
4. By car or with a private driver
To get to Batu Caves, you can also rent a car and drive yourself. There is a parking lot at the temple complex.
You can also book a private driver to take you to Batu Caves and some other places you want to visit in Kuala Lumpur.
5. Batu Caves on a tour
While it’s easy to visit Batu Caves on your own, if you’re short on time, the best is to visit Batu Caves on a tour. Most tours offer reasonably priced all-inclusive packages with pick-up and drop-off, an educational guided tour of Batu Caves, and stops at other nearby attractions.
Best Batu Caves tours:
- Batu Caves & Cultural Exploration Tour
- Private Tour to the Batu Caves
- Private Batu Caves, National Mosque, Thean Hou Temple Tour
- Private KL City Tour with Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves
Best Batu Caves tours in combination with other areas in Malaysia:
- Batu Caves and Firefly Watching Tour
- Genting Highlands and Batu Caves Day Trip
- Putrajaya and Batu Caves Private Tour
- Taman Negara NP and Batu Caves Day Tour
How long does it take to see Batu Caves
If you’re planning to visit Batu Caves, allow at least 1.5 to 3 hours to fully experience its wonders.
Excluding the commute, this will give you enough time to climb up and descend the 272 colorful steps, take pictures of the towering statue of Lord Murugan, explore the caves filled with shrines, and stop for quick rests.
The best time to visit Batu Caves
The best time to visit Batu Caves is early in the morning because not only will you avoid the sun’s scorching heat, but you also get a head start on the usual large crowd. This way, you can take your time appreciating the sights.
You can also visit in the late afternoon to avoid the heat and have smaller crowds. If you can, try to avoid visiting mid-day.
As for the best month to visit, due to its tropical climate, Malaysia has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy season. The ideal months to explore Batu Caves are May through August when the weather is warmer.
TRAVEL TIP
If you don’t mind high foot traffic, visit Batu Caves in late January or early February to experience the vibrant Thaipusam festival.
Things to see at Batu Caves
1. Rainbow staircase
When visiting Batu Caves, one of the first things you’ll likely notice upon arrival is the bright, rainbow-painted staircase leading up to the site’s entrance. The 272 steps will definitely make you sweat, but you can take this opportunity to capture tons of Instagram-worthy shots.
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The monkeys freely roaming around the stairs also make the climb a bit more fun, though it is better to maintain a safe distance and watch your belongings.
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2. Lord Murugan statue
Standing majestically next to the colorful stairs is a golden statue of Lord Murugan, which is another sight that is difficult to miss when visiting Batu Caves. With a height of over 42 meters, it is the largest diety image in Malaysia and is ranked among the world’s tallest statues.
Lord Murugan’s statue is made of concrete and painted in gold, which highlights its intricate details.
3. Temple Cave
The main and largest one in the Batu Caves complex is the Temple Cave, also called Cathedral Cave, which you’ll reach after enduring the long flight of stairs.
There are plenty of things to see in Temple Cave, including colorful Hindu shrines, rock formations, the very high ceiling, and the Sri Valli Deivanai Murugan Temple (dedicated to Lord Murugan’s wife). Seeing the sunlight peeking through the stone ceiling gives this massive cave a scenic atmosphere.
4. Ramayana Cave
Ramayana Cave is the best place to visit near Batu Caves if you want a little peace. A statue of a Hindu god stands tall next to the entrance, and the views inside sort of resemble a museum.
It is filled with illuminated Hindu dioramas that have narratives for you to read and learn. You will also find a giant sleeping statue and incredible depictions of Ramayana’s story. Less people visit this area, so it’s worthwhile to stop by.
5. Cave Villa
Cave Villa is another sight next to Batu Caves that you can visit, although you won’t miss much by skipping it.
Out front, there’s a large pond and a small cascade where you can relax and snap a few photos. Inside, the walls of the cave are covered in vibrant artwork, and there are numerous statues depicting Hindu characters and beings.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
Caged animals are inside the Cave Villa, and you’ll witness their heartbreaking conditions. Cave Villa has pretty bad reviews online, and lots of people regret paying the entrance fee as it supports animal abuse.
Therefore, we personally didn’t visit, and we would recommend you avoid it as well.
6. Dark Cave – CLOSED INDEFINITELY
If you’re up for a little adventure within Batu Caves, the best place to visit is Dark Cave. Visitors are only allowed to enter with a guide, and the most popular paid tour you can choose lasts roughly 45 minutes.
Because it is pitch-black inside, headlamps are provided so you can see the cool stone formations, bats, and other wildlife creatures. The tour guide also goes into detail about the history of the cave, making it educational and worth the visit.
DARK CAVE 2024 UPDATE
Dark Cave at Batu Caves has been closed since 28th January 2019, and there are currently no plans for it to reopen.
7. Rock climbing at Batu Caves
Kuala Lumpur and Batu Caves may not be the first places that come to mind when thinking of rock climbing destinations. However, you would be surprised to discover that this bustling metropolis offers some fantastic rock climbing opportunities.
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Rock climbing is one of the best sports activities in Kuala Lumpur, and you can even go rock climbing at Batu Caves (but on the opposite side, not where the stairs are!).
Tips for visiting Batu Caves
- Bring water, as there are 272 stairs to climb in the heat.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Be respectful, as this is a place of worship.
- Be careful of your belongings, as monkeys love to steal your stuff.
- Don’t feed the monkeys.
Where to eat near Batu Caves
Knowing where to eat near Batu Caves is important because you will definitely feel famished after touring on foot.
Drop by the legendary Restoran Pang Heong if you want to try the famous Sang Har Hor Fun, which is a flat rice noodle dish topped with fresh prawns and egg gravy.
Restoran Chetty Nadu offers an affordable banana leaf rice meal that comes with four types of vegetable dishes.
If you want to enjoy a meal while admiring rock formations, Gua Lepak is a hidden spot inside Batu Caves! There are several food stalls available, offering local and Western cuisine.
What to expect at Batu Caves
Batu Caves is the most famous tourist attraction and the best free thing to see in Kuala Lumpur. It is also an active worship place, so you might see lots of locals coming to pray here.
It’s hard to catch Batu Caves completely empty. To see it less crowded, you need to visit in the morning. We came to Batu Caves right after sunrise, but it was already quite a few people there as there was some yoga festival happening in front of the temple complex.
Expect to see lots of pigeons, monkeys, and even roosters in the Batu Caves complex. But please, don’t feed the monkeys as they are wild animals after all!
Amenities at Batu Caves
The cleanest bathrooms at Batu Caves are located at the base. They are available to use by paying a small fee, and you should definitely visit one before going around.
Other amenities include the parking area, which costs RM 2, and water shops in case you forgot to pack a bottle.
Are Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur worth visiting?
There are a lot of beautiful things to see in Batu Caves, so it should absolutely be on your Kuala Lumpur itinerary. With its limestone caves, ornate Hindu temples, cultural significance, giant statues, and impressive natural wonders, Batu Caves is worth visiting.
Batu Caves is also a great place to take beautiful photos, as the temple complex is very picturesque. Just be mindful of others.
Batu Caves is the best place to visit in Kuala Lumpur on a budget, as there are plenty of affordable transportation options, and the main cave requires no entrance fee.
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
When planning a visit to Kuala Lumpur, one of the key decisions is determining the best area to stay in. And especially if you’re on a short visit, and don’t want to waste too much time on transportation.
The absolute best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), Bukit Bintang, and KL Sentral, as they are all well-positioned for exploring the whole city and full of attractions themselves.
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