The Batu Caves are a Hindu shrine (to Lord Muragan, worshiped by the Tamil Hindus) just north of Kuala Lumpur (or given that you don't leave any sense of the city at all, they are basically in Kuala Lumpur). It is probably the most popular tourist attraction in the city and is certainly worth the effort. A very long series of stairs leads up to the main cavern where a series of smaller shrines are scattered everywhere.Sharing the climb with you are many many crab-eating Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) (see below) that have learned to live off of tourists. They are pretty harmless but do 'get in your face' and I did see one hiss and bare its teeth for some unknown indiscretion on the part of one visitor. I also saw one quickly raid a souvenir bag that another tourist had placed BEHIND his feet. They aren't stupid.
One thing that surprised me was the lack of any literature on the significance of the shrine. There were plenty of touristy shops selling all sorts of kitsch (Hindus may have invented bling) but no information.
Photo Credit: me.
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