During our visit to Kuala Lumpur, we had two main plans or wishes: one was to stay at an accommodation with an infinity pool and a view of the Petronas Towers, as mentioned in the previous post, and the other was to visit Batu Caves. Otherwise, we went with the flow.
Batu Caves is famous for its long rainbow-colored stairs leading up to a cave and the large golden statue of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan.
Getting to Batu Caves
Batu Caves is located in the northern part of Kuala Lumpur, about 15 km from our hotel. As usual, we ordered a Grab and headed north. The journey took about 20 minutes and cost 19.50 RM (approximately 4 โฌ). Batu Caves has a designated area for Grab rides, so upon arrival, it was clear where we could wait for our return ride. This spot is right at the main gate, making it easy to find. Alternatively, Batu Caves is accessible by public transport. The attraction itself is free of charge.
Exploring the Batu Caves
From the decorative main gate, a grand view opens up through the square to the lush cliff face, dominated by the large golden Hindu statue and the colorful rainbow stairs leading up into the greenery. The square has several restaurants for a quick meal and shops for souvenirs. At the bottom, in front of the stairs, there is also an ornate temple, whose details can be freely admired.
Batu Caves is a religious site, so itโs important to dress respectfully, covering shoulders and knees.
The 272 colorful stairs lead up to the cave itself, which is very large and contains more temples and various statues, whose intricacies were a delight to marvel at, as was the cave itself. Some temples can be entered for a closer look, as long as you remove your shoes before stepping inside.
The stairs are also home to a large number of monkeys, who entertained us with their antics as we climbed up and down. These monkeys were very gentle and calm and didnโt try to steal items, unlike in many other places where sunglasses, earrings, and water bottles might be taken by curious primates. Watching the monkeys was amusing, and the breaks to watch them made the climb, in the warm weather, much more bearable ๐ ๏ธ
Beyond the main attractions, Batu Caves has additional areas that seemed to be missed by most visitors. On the left side of the square, there is a small entrance to the Cave Villa, which consists of various caves and has an entrance fee of 5 RM (approximately 1 โฌ). Here, youโll find multiple caves with a lot of artwork and ornate statues, including a reptile cave with snakes and lizards in terrariums. Itโs worth exploring this area too, as it is much larger than it appears from the entrance, and the statue caves are particularly impressive.
Batu Caves is an easy and pleasant visit in Kuala Lumpur, offering a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
