Batu Caves in Gombak, Selangor, is undoubtedly one of Malaysia's most iconic landmarks. It is prominently featured in many Tourism Malaysia campaigns and is a must-visit for tourists.

This picturesque and spiritual site is renowned for its stunning natural limestone formations, the towering 43-metre golden statue of the Hindu God Lord Murugan, various Hindu temples, and, of course, the vibrant 272 steps leading to the cave itself.

Batu Caves: 10th Most Physically Demanding Landmark in the World The 272-step climb is not for the faint-hearted, and recently, Batu Caves was recognized as one of the most physically demanding landmarks in the world.

According to a report by British health club chain PureGym, which ranks the top 25 most physically demanding tourist spots, Batu Caves is 4th in Asia and 10th in the world, with an 'exertion' score of 40 out of 100.

The ranking considers the 272 steps, the 100-meter elevation change, and the average temperature of 32.4 degrees Celsius.

Interestingly, other tourist spots have more steps than Batu Caves, but the Malaysian landmark ranks higher due to the high average temperature.

How the Study Was Conducted PureGym's index considered several factors: the number of steps required to fully experience the landmark, the elevation change during the ascent, and the average temperature of the location. These factors combined to create a final index score out of 100, with a higher score indicating greater physical exertion required.

In Asia, only Japan's Konpira-san Shrine, Sri Lanka's Sigiriya, and Jordan's Petra Monastery were deemed more physically demanding.

Globally, Norway's Flørli Stairs, with 4,444 steps, a 750-meter elevation change, and an average temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius, was named the most physically demanding tourist landmark with an 'exertion' score of 76 out of 100.

For those who might struggle with the 272 steps, Batu Caves is planning to build an escalator as an alternative way up.