Batu Caves and Petronas Towers, KL attractions that are worth the ‘climb’

While the Batu Caves are not technically inside the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, the 15-kilometer, half-hour KTM Komuter train ride from KL Sentral makes visiting these series of caves and Hindu temples very convenient. Fares for an adult, single journey ticket costs only two Malaysian Ringgit (MYR, P22.65) on board the modern trains of the inter-city KTM Komuter.

Upon exiting the Batu Caves station, one is immediately greeted by a towering, aqua statue of Hanuman, a Hindu god and an ardent devotee of the god Rama, with the face of a monkey. The colorful visuals of Hinduism is a far cry from the muted and plain colors that some may associate with other places of worship. The entrance to the Batu caves entails walking a few hundred meters east of the station.

You know that you've arrived at the proper destination when you see the 42.7m (140-foot) gold statue of the Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, the Hindu god of war. To his right (our left) are 272 concrete steps that lead to the mouth of the Batu Caves. Climbing the (steeper than expected) steps seems daunting at first, but there are areas along the way where one can catch a breath and take breaks.

After being mesmerized by the 140-foot gold statue of Lord Murugan, start the 272-step trek to the Temple Cave. Photos: Stanley See.

There are no admission or entrance fees but be prepared to sweat. Not only is the trek physically tiring, Malaysia’s tropical climate coupled with the humidity inside the main Temple Cave make visiting the Batu Caves seem like a virtual workout.

The high, limestone ceilings of the Temple Cave not only provide a surreal visual treat to tourists and pilgrims but also serve as a natural amplifier during the annual Thaipusam. Staged in the Tamil month (between January 15 and February 15) and on Pusam (day of the brightest star during this period) by Hindus worldwide, the festivities start in the wee hours of the morning from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur to the Batu Caves in Sengalor.

The Temple Cave features several temples and shrines, and is one of the central venues for the Thaipusam festival.

Similar to the Hindu temples in Bali Indonesia, there are also monkeys roaming freely in the vicinity so keep an eye on your belongings. Also, watch out for possible bird droppings as some sections of the Temple Cave have bare ceilings.

Just before going down the 272 steps, stop and take in the view of Sengalor and neighboring Kuala Lumpur. On a clear day, the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin towers, is visible to the naked eye.

Skybridge and Observation Deck

A view of the upper floors and spire of Tower 1, as well as the KL Tower at the background, is well worth the RM85 admission fee.

Seeing the 88-storey, 451.9m Petronas Twin Towers from the ground is a treat in itself. Whether in the daytime or nighttime, looking from the front or from the back; at any angle, the towers are majestic feats not only of engineering, but architecture and art as well. To fully immerse yourself in the Petronas Twin Tower experience, one needs to see the view at the Skybridge (located at the 41st and 42nd floors) and Observation Deck (86th floor of Tower Two).

Tickets for non-Malaysian (non-MyKad) adults are priced at RM85 (P963). Selling of tickets start at 8:30AM in the concourse (basement) level and guided tours start at 9:00AM until 8:15PM, with 15-minute intervals. With a lot of visitors vying for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis, it is advisable to book tickets online. That way you get to choose the most convenient time to see Kuala Lumpur at more than 1400-feet above the ground.

Taking pictures is permitted at the Skybridge and Observation deck but tripods are not allowed. On our morning visit to the Skybridge, it took a bit of ingenuity and quick-thinking on my part just to capture photos of the 15-minutes that we were allowed inside the double-decker bridge. Security was strict as not only were there next sets of visitors in line, but multi-national companies were also doing weekday work across Tower 1 and at the floors within Tower 2.

Without time and schedule restrictions, the experience at the Observation Deck was less hurried and therefore better than the Skybridge. Aside from the 360° view of Kuala Lumpur, there were also scale models and replicas of the twin towers and their skyscraper neighbors. At the 86th level, we could see the top floors and spire/antenna of Tower 1, as well as the less famous KL Tower in the background.

Security is especially tight on weekdays as work is still being done in multi-national companies located in Towers 1 and 2.

Just before ending the tour, visitors can purchase magnets, accessories, twin tower replicas, and other Petronas Twin Towers memorabilia to remind you of your visit.

The next time you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur, go ahead and reserve at least a day to trek and climb these two attractions. One is the unofficial symbol and source of national pride of the modern Malaysia, the other a glimpse of the religious culture and heritage of the Malaysian people. — AT, GMA News

Petronas Twin Towers operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00AM to 9:00PM. Closed from 1:00PM to 2:30PM on Fridays and on Mondays.