landmark
Batu Caves
A limestone hill with massive cave temples and a 42-meter golden statue of Lord Murugan, a major Hindu pilgrimage site near Kuala Lumpur.
26 km · about 30 min drive
Selangor, Malaysia · Asia
Batu Arang is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Bandar Tasik Puteri, 38km from Genting Highlands Road.
Batu Arang is a town located in Selangor, Malaysia. With a population of 22,579, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Batu Arang sits in Malaysia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Kuala Lumpur time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Batu Arang to your route.
Batu Arang is a town in Gombak District, Selangor, Malaysia, that is located about 50 km (31 miles) from the capital Kuala Lumpur. Coal was first discovered in the region in 1908, when British authorities found large deposits of coal reserves that could be commercially viable and fuel a railway system. The town wasRead more
established when the British started mining operations. In 1915, a railway system linking Batu Arang and Kuang was built to transport coal to the rest of the country. As coal output and demand increased, rail services to and from Kuala Lumpur expanded. The demand for coal from Batu Arang skyrocketed due to the First World War, which led to a reduction of coal imports. The local coal was frequently sold to the railway companies, power stations, tin mines, dredges, and end customers.
During World War II, in 1942, British authorities halted mining operations, and destroyed the power station and main sub-station as Japanese forces approached Batu Arang. When the Japanese occupied the area, they repaired the damaged equipment and hired more people to mine coal. Their mining methods, however, have left a devastating effect on the coal mine because they only focused on surface mining. When Japan surrendered at the end of World War II, Malayan Collieries resumed mining but were faced with problems such as improper mining methods by Japanese, delayed delivery for new equipment, labor strikes, fire, floods, increasing costs, rising coal prices and competition from petroleum, which is a cheaper and more attractive fuel. These problems led to the permanent closure of the coal mine on January 30, 1960.
After the closure of the mine, many miners and workers moved out of town and many buildings became ruins, the coal mine filled with water, land faced soil erosion, and the railway line from Kuang was dismantled, effectively ended railway service in Batu Arang. Despite this, some residents remained in the town and shops, facilities, and amenities continue to operate. On October 16, 2011, the town celebrated 100 years since its establishment and was granted heritage town status to boost economic prospects of its residents and make it one of the most important tourist attractions in Selangor.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Batu Arang.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Batu Arang.
Batu Arang offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Batu Arang with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Batu Arang as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Batu Arang is located in Selangor, Malaysia, Asia. The coordinates are 3.3167 latitude, 101.4667 longitude.
Batu Arang has a population of approximately 22,579 people, making it a town in Malaysia.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Batu Arang as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Batu Arang. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
A limestone hill with massive cave temples and a 42-meter golden statue of Lord Murugan, a major Hindu pilgrimage site near Kuala Lumpur.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Multi-park destination near Kuala Lumpur with a water park, amusement park, wildlife park, and extreme park.
31 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Double-deck skybridge connecting the Petronas Twin Towers at the 41st and 42nd floors, 170 metres above the ground.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
452-metre twin skyscrapers in central Kuala Lumpur with a public skybridge, observation deck and large underground car park.
32 km · about 35 min drive
scenic viewpoint
A 421-meter telecommunications tower on Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur offering panoramic city views and a glass sky box experience.
32 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
Malaysia's favourite hill-climb: a smooth, relentlessly twisty ascent from Genting Sempah to the casino resort at 1,800 m, beloved by local drivers and often wrapped in cool cloud.
38 km · about 45 min drive
mountain pass
Hilltop resort town at 1,700 metres above Kuala Lumpur, reached by a steep switchback highway from Genting Sempah.
38 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Rose-granite mosque beside Putrajaya Lake in Malaysia's administrative capital, surrounded by wide boulevards and signature bridges.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Batu Arang.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning