Batu Caves is a limestone hill on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur with a Hindu temple set inside its largest cave. To reach it you climb a long flight of 272 steps, now painted in bright rainbow colours, beside a giant golden statue of Lord Murugan. Batu Caves is one of the most important Hindu sites outside India and one of the most popular half-day trips from the city, and it is easy to reach by train.
Why visit Batu Caves
The caves sit in a limestone outcrop said to be hundreds of millions of years old. A shrine to Murugan was established in the main cave in the late nineteenth century by the local Tamil community, and the site has grown into a temple complex. The golden statue at the foot of the stairs, more than 40 metres tall, was unveiled in 2006, and the steps were painted in their famous colours in 2018.
The climb leads to the Temple Cave, a vast chamber with a high ceiling open to the sky in places, where shafts of light fall onto shrines below. Even if you are not religious, the scale of the space and the sense of a working place of worship make the effort worthwhile.
The site is busiest during Thaipusam, a festival held in January or February when huge numbers of devotees walk to the caves, many carrying elaborate offerings. It is an extraordinary sight, but it is extremely crowded; check the date if you want to see it or avoid it.
How to get to Batu Caves
Batu Caves is not on the MRT or LRT. The way to get there by rail is the KTM Komuter train, which runs from KL Sentral to Batu Caves station at the end of the line. The station is right beside the temple complex, so you walk out and see the statue almost immediately.
- KL Sentral is the city's main rail hub, connected to the LRT, the KL Monorail, the MRT via Muzium Negara, and the airport trains.
- Komuter trains run less often than the metro lines, sometimes every 30 minutes or more. Check the timetable for your return trip so you are not waiting long on the platform.
- Fares are cheap and can be paid with a Touch 'n Go card or a ticket from the station machines.
A taxi or ride-hailing car is the alternative and can be quicker from some parts of the city, depending on traffic.
Batu Caves entry and dress code
Entry to the main Temple Cave is free. Some smaller attractions at the foot of the hill, such as the Ramayana Cave with its painted figures, have charged a small entry fee.
Batu Caves is an active temple, and modest dress is required. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and staff at the bottom of the stairs have turned away visitors in shorts or short skirts. Sarongs have been available to rent or buy near the steps if you need one. Take off your shoes where signs ask you to inside the shrines.
What to see at Batu Caves
The Murugan statue and the rainbow steps
The statue and the colourful stairway make the classic photo. Start early if you want it without crowds.
The Temple Cave
At the top, the cave opens into a cathedral-like space with shrines, ceremonies and the sound of bells. Walk to the far end, where a second chamber opens to daylight.
The monkeys
Long-tailed macaques live all over the steps and cave. They are bold and will grab food, drinks, sunglasses and loose bags. Keep snacks out of sight and do not feed them.
The Ramayana Cave
Near the station, this cave has colourful figures and scenes telling the story of the Ramayana. Its own entrance is separate from the main stairs, marked by a tall statue of Hanuman.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Go early in the morning, when it is cooler and quieter, before tour groups arrive. The climb is steep and can be hot and slippery after rain, so bring water and wear shoes with grip. Allow about one and a half to two hours at the site, plus 30 to 45 minutes each way on the train from KL Sentral.
Nearby and back in the city
There is not a great deal to do right next to Batu Caves beyond the vegetarian Indian restaurants and stalls by the station, which are good for a cheap breakfast or lunch. Back at KL Sentral, the Brickfields area, also known as Little India, is a short walk away and pairs well with a morning at the caves.
See more around the station on the Batu Caves page on Around the Metro, and plan the rest of your trip with our Kuala Lumpur metro guide.