Batu Caves (Gua Batu)

The Batu Caves were discovered over 100 years ago and are now one of Kuala Lumpur’s most visited sites. Located in an area of outstanding beauty, the caves contain stalactites and stalagmites, and impressive fauna and flora. There are three main caves and numerous smaller ones. The most famous is the Temple Cave and is only accessible by a 272-step climb. Below it is the Dark Cave, a vast network of caverns inhabited by several indigenous species of animals. Discovered by the American explorer William Hornaby in 1878, the Batu Caves are also an important Hindu shrine, attracting as many as 80,000 devotees during the holy festival of Thaipusam which takes place in January or February every year.