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Exploring the Popular Batu Caves in Malaysia

Your trip to Malaysia is not complete without visiting Batu Caves. The famous cave is situated thirteen kilometers from central Kuala Lumpur, and it lies the world’s tallest statue of the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan.

What to expect at the Batu Caves?

Batu Caves has three attractions: Temple Cave, Ramayana Cave, and Cave Villa. Visiting the main temple begins with 272 leg-burning steps, and there is no admission fee. Next to the stairs is the gold-painted statue that represents Lord Murugan, and the statue is 140 feet (42.7 meters) in height. Meanwhile, Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa are still closed.

The way leading up is steep, and expect a tribe of monkeys that might entertain you. So be careful with your belongings, as much as possible, do not bring foods as you may catch their attention, and don’t be too close to monkeys, as some are aggressive. The stairs are also repainted, which makes them more stunning and attractive.

Inside, there’s a temple where you can offer your prayers, remember to take off your shoes. You will also notice the limestone rock formation, which is said to be 400 million years old. There were a lot of tourists and devotees who came here, especially during the Thaipusam festival.

Batu Caves is open from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm but still depends if there is a religious celebration. Better to go there first thing in the morning to avoid sunburn. Avoid wearing shorts, especially for girls, and wear comfy shoes. Make sure that your shoulders are covered. For those who arrive without appropriate clothing, you may rent a sarong for less than RM5.00 or less than $1.

Please be mindful that this is a religious site, and we should pay respect to Hindu tradition.

Getting to the Batu Caves

Here are the most popular options to get from the city center to Batu Caves:

By train: KTM train is the easiest and most convenient way to reach Batu Caves. The train departs regularly from Kuala Lumpur Sentral station to the Batu Caves station, and a one-way ticket costs RM 3.00.

By Grab/AirAsia: The fastest option for getting to the Batu Caves is to book via Grab or AirAsia. The caves are around a 20-minute drive from the city center, and prices are costly (RM 35.00) hence much cheaper if you are traveling with friends.

How’s your experience in visiting the Batu Caves? Please let us know, or do you have any additional information to share? Feel free to leave a comment below this article.

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