Batu Caves

Batu Caves

Search stays

Re-charge your spiritual batteries at these awe-inspiring caves, Kuala Lumpur's principal Hindu shrine.

Reputed to be over 400 million years old, the majestic Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur’s Gombak district are among the most popular of Hindu shrines in Malaysia and they attract thousands of worshippers and tourists every year.

Comprising of three main caves as well some smaller ones, this eerie labyrinthine complex is a wonderful place to explore, whether you are on a cultural jaunt, a spiritual quest, or just fancied some sightseeing.

Visitors to this limestone mountain are greeted by an imposing golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war to whom the caves are dedicated. At 42.7 metres high, it is the tallest statue dedicated to a Hindu deity in Malaysia and is staggeringly beautiful close up.

At this point, brace yourself for the arduous ascent up the 272 steps which lead to the Cathedral or Temple Cave. As you climb, keep an eye out for cheeky macaque monkeys as they dart among the tourists and bear in mind, they are not adverse to a bit of pickpocketing.

At the top, catch your breath as you make your way into the 100-metre high main chamber of the Cathedral Cave. The cavernous temple within is home to a revered mix of ornate Hindu shrines and descriptive artwork which detail various Hindu legends. Similarly, the adjacent Art Gallery and the Museum caves both feature statues and paintings of sacred Hindu deities.

If you want to learn about the various ecosystems in this hillside, take a scientific tour down into the Dark Caves. This two-kilometre stretch of surveyed passages is home to an abundance of ancient flora and fauna, including the endangered Trapdoor Spider. This is a terrific way to learn about this unique natural habitat but bear in mind that exploring this cave is quite a physical challenge as some crawling is required.

Every year between January and February, millions of devotees flock to the Batu Caves to celebrate the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. This three-day event, dedicated to thanksgiving and penance, is renowned for its colourful parades and extreme ceremonial rituals, some of which include piercing the body with hooks and skewers. Attending this sacred Hindu celebration is a real privilege, so where possible, schedule it into your itinerary.

Batu Caves Travel Guide Video

Royal Suites at Platinum Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang KLCC
7Stonez Suites Windmill Genting Highlands
7Stonez Suites Geo38 Genting Highlands
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Batu Caves

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
49
" "5 - Excellent 52.12765957446808%
4 - Good
35
" "4 - Good 37.234042553191486%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 9.574468085106384%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0638297872340425%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Mar 2020

To get there from KLCC we took a ‘Grab’ taxi. It took less than 30 mins and was only RM 20 each way. Great door to door service rather than messing around with trains or buses.

4/5 - Good

JasonMcBride
26 Feb 2019

It's steep, but my 7-year old with a broken arm did it!

Popular places to visit


Top Batu Caves Hotel Deals

Smile Hotel Wangsa Maju
Smile Hotel Wangsa Maju
3 out of 5
No 36, Jalan Metrowangsa, Sek 2, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur
Smile Hotel Wangsa Maju
KIP Hotel Kuala Lumpur
KIP Hotel Kuala Lumpur
4 out of 5
No 77 Jalan Seri Utara 1, Sri Utara Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
KIP Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Arte By Thomas Chan
Arte By Thomas Chan
4.5 out of 5
66th Floor, Tower 2, Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Arte By Thomas Chan
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
5 out of 5
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
5 out of 5
183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
Riccarton Capsule Hotel
Riccarton Capsule Hotel
2 out of 5
G-1, Wisma Q Titiwangsa, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur
Riccarton Capsule Hotel
AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur
AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur
4 out of 5
9 Jalan Lumut, Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
165 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, an IHG Hotel
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
5 out of 5
11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.