MY · Selangor · 3.24°N 101.68°E

batu caves

Climb the rainbow stairs past the giant golden Murugan into the temple caves.

Best time
Early morning, before the heat and the tour buses. Thaipusam, usually in late January or early February, draws huge crowds: go if you want to see it, avoid it if you don't.
How long
2–3 hours
Getting there
About 20–30 minutes' drive from central KL, or take the KTM Komuter train from KL Sentral, which ends right next to the caves.
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MY · Selangorbatu caves3.24°N 101.68°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Climb the rainbow stairs past the giant golden Murugan into the temple caves.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBatu CavesMY, Selangor
KLbatu caves
≈ 11 km from KL, as the crow flies
Batu Caves, 2022

Photo: Chainwit. · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A limestone hill on the northern edge of KL, with Hindu temples inside its caves. A 43 m golden statue of Lord Murugan stands at the foot of 272 colourful steps up to Temple Cave, and the site is the heart of Malaysia's Thaipusam celebrations.

Makan

  1. Banana leaf riceVegetarian rice and curries served on banana leaves at the restaurants by the foot of the hill.Map ↗
  2. Thosai and teh tarikA simple South Indian breakfast before or after the climb.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Temple CaveClimb the 272 steps into a huge cavern with shrines and an opening to the sky.Map ↗
  2. The Murugan statueThe giant golden statue at the bottom of the stairs is the photo everyone takes.Map ↗
  3. Ramayana CaveA cave near the entrance filled with colourful statues telling the Ramayana story.Map ↗
  4. ThaipusamDevotees carry kavadi up the steps after a procession from central KL. Loud, huge and moving.Map ↗

Good to know

  • It's a place of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees; sarongs are available at the entrance if you need one.
  • Monkeys on the stairs grab food, drinks and anything loose. Keep your bag zipped.
  • Take off your shoes where the signs ask.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.