<strong>Kuala Lumpur day trip:</strong> Made up of a series of caves and temples, the Batu Caves are a quick 20-minute drive from central Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur day trip: Made up of a series of caves and temples, the Batu Caves are a quick 20-minute drive from central Kuala Lumpur.
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<strong>Stunning scenes: </strong>The Batu Caves are said to be about 400 million years old.
Stunning scenes: The Batu Caves are said to be about 400 million years old.
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<strong>Temple Cave: </strong>The main attraction is the Temple Cave. To enter, visitors must ascend 400 feet (123 meters) into the limestone caverns.
Temple Cave: The main attraction is the Temple Cave. To enter, visitors must ascend 400 feet (123 meters) into the limestone caverns.
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<strong>Otherworldly: </strong>Up a set of steep stairs, in the back of the main Temple Cave, the rock walls give way to the sky.
Otherworldly: Up a set of steep stairs, in the back of the main Temple Cave, the rock walls give way to the sky.
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<strong>Thaipusam Festival: </strong>In late January or early February each year, the caves welcome hundreds of thousands of Hindu worshipers celebrating the festival of Thaipusam.
Thaipusam Festival: In late January or early February each year, the caves welcome hundreds of thousands of Hindu worshipers celebrating the festival of Thaipusam.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Lord Murugan: </strong>A 140-foot-tall gold statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, stands at the base of the caves.
Lord Murugan: A 140-foot-tall gold statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, stands at the base of the caves.
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<strong>Instagram-worthy staircase: </strong>Twenty volunteers spent three days in 2018 painting the 272 steps in a colorful gradient that leaves visitors staring in awe.
Instagram-worthy staircase: Twenty volunteers spent three days in 2018 painting the 272 steps in a colorful gradient that leaves visitors staring in awe.
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<strong>Visit in the morning: </strong>Whether it's monsoon season or not (generally March to April and September through November), the afternoons tend to be wetter and hotter. You'll be better off getting there when they open the gates, around 7:30 a.m.
Visit in the morning: Whether it's monsoon season or not (generally March to April and September through November), the afternoons tend to be wetter and hotter. You'll be better off getting there when they open the gates, around 7:30 a.m.
Jeff Simon/CNN
<strong>Be comfortable barefoot: </strong>If you want to enter any of the shrines, you're required to remove your shoes.
Be comfortable barefoot: If you want to enter any of the shrines, you're required to remove your shoes.
Jeff Simon/CNN
<strong>Four main caves: </strong>The site is home to four caves: Cave Villa, Ramayana Cave, Dark Cave (currently closed) and Temple Cave.
Four main caves: The site is home to four caves: Cave Villa, Ramayana Cave, Dark Cave (currently closed) and Temple Cave.
Jeff Simon/CNN