Still working through the jet lag, our group of travelers spent the day sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur, checking out top sights before continuing on to other cities in Malaysia. Our second day in town brought us to the Batu Caves, one of the most well recognized tourist attractions in the country. Welcomed by the giant golden statue of Lord Murugan, a Hindu god.
Surrounded by flocks of hungry pigeons, we got off the bus and started the climb up the over 200 steep steps to the temple at the top of the cave. It had just rained, so the steps were slick. I’d been told not to bring any sort of food products up with me or risk a monkey attack, so I was at least that prepared. Others weren’t so lucky, having monkeys lunge at them to grab bottles of orange juice or even chewing gum.
The Batu Caves were first recognized as a temple in the 1800s, but the limestone caves are reportedly 400 million years old. A handful of temples are wedged into the caves, but the most visited is the one at the top, the Temple Cave. A ceremony was taking place during our visit, so the faithful brought food and other essentials in boxes with them up the hill. Incense was lit and music was played while worshippers sat at the altar.
If you look at the Batu Caves as just a cave, you won’t be disappointed because it is an impressive limestone cavern. But if you seek to view the caves as a holy site, you may be let down. I was sad to see the trash everywhere, graffiti on cave walls and the way pigeons and monkeys were sickly and infected from eating tourists’ food.
The apathy found in Southeast Asia at holy sites definitely got me down, especially how there’s always someone trying to sell you something. The Batu Caves are no different, as I had to rent a sarong to cover my legs, or alternatively buy one, and there were souvenir stores even outside the temple at the top.
But I can’t deny that the Batu Caves are well worth a visit, especially if you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur. Just don’t forget to cover your shoulders and legs and leave any food items behind. You can access it from the city via the train from KL Sentral for 2 ringgit or bus 11 for 2.50 ringgit. Many tour buses also stop here if you’re doing a day trip.
I visited the Batu Caves as a guest of Tourism Malaysia, but all opinions are my own.
Wow! That entrance to the cave is absolutely stunning.
It’s really disappointing that the monkeys are so sickly and that it’s a let down as a holy site but it definitely looks cool!
Yes, Sky, I can’t deny that it is amazing as a cave, but couldn’t help but be sad for the monkeys :(
I was here for the Hindu Festival Thaipusam, and it was crazy. So many people that there was no way we could get near the caves. I do hate how much trash you see around the place, although I remember they had teams of people cleaning it up last year so hopefully progress will be made! Cool photos.
I bet that was amazing to see Stacey! Thanks for reading.