How to get there
By Train
Option 1: Take the KTM Komuter Sentul-Port Klang line (red on transit maps) north to the newly-opened Batu Caves Komuter station. Alternatively, you can also go from Sentul station if there is further construction on the line.
Option 2: Take the monorail north to the Chow Kit station. Take bus U6 to the caves and be sure to keep your ticket for the return journey (the bus tickets are valid all day).
By Bus
Riding a bus to the Batu Caves in city traffic can take around 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take bus number 11 from the busy Bangkok Bank bus terminal on Jalan H.S. Lee near Chinatown all the way to the caves.
Then let’s go around and explore what make it attractive like that
What to know
The 140-ft (42.7 m) Lord Murugan statue was built in 2006, and there are many temples dedicated to him scattered throughout the area, but the Batu Caves have been the center of Hindu pilgrimages and rituals. One such ritual is piercing your body as an act of penance. It’s called Thaipusam.
There are 4 main attractions here which is a limestone hill riddled with caves. These attractions are Temple Cave (or Cathedral Cave), Dark Cave, Cave Villa and Ramayana Cave.
Temple Cave (or Cathedral Cave)
The main Cave is known as the Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave and is accessed by a steep flight of 272 steps.
The top of the stairs brings you into a massive cave with a high vaulted ceiling. The cave serves as a Hindu Temple devoted to Lord Muragan. There is no entry fee for visiting the Temple Cave although you may leave a donation in one of the collection boxes if you wish.
Dark Cave
It is not always opened and depends on the availability of a guide and you are not allowed to enter by yourself.
The Dark Cave can only be explored by booking a spelunking tour in advance. The tours require a fair level of physical fitness as some crawling is required, it is advisable to bring a change of clothes.
Cave Villa
If you cannot manage to climb the 272 steps and if the Dark Cave sounds too creepy, you can visit the third main attraction instead, the Cave Villa lies at the foot of the limestone hill.
You have to pay an entrance fee (RM15 for foreigners, RM7 for Malaysian residents) and cross a crooked bridge over a pool.
Ramayana Cave
The other attraction is Ramayana Cave. This cave is located on the left side when you are facing the hill close to a 15-metre high green statue of Hanuman, the monkey god. It is decorated with statues and scenes from the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Its entrance fee is RM5.
Watching the monkeys
Many tourists also head to the Batu Caves just to see monkeys running around. The monkeys are cute, and it is cool to see monkeys up close, but they come so close to humans because they’re hungry and they are used to humans having food.
Something you need to know before visiting Batu Caves
- The caves are open all year from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- The wild caves are very muddy, so bring a change of clothes if you plan to take any of the spelunking tours.
- There are stalls and restaurants offering Indian food outside the entrance of the Batu Caves. However, you should make your way back to Kuala Lumpur for better quality food at lower prices.
- Bring your own drinks to avoid being overcharged