Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang

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The Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss" or "Temple of Sukhavati" is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia.

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This Buddhist temple is the largest in Malaysia and sprawls up the hill dominating the town of Air Itam. To access the complex you have to weave your way through an ascending corridor of souvenir shops which are an obvious tourist trap, after which you'll arrive at Liberation Pond. Following the steps up you will reach the temple complex proper and be rewarded with the intricate and colourful Ban Po Thar Pagoda.

The Kek Lok Si project was mooted by the chief monk of the Kuan Yin Teng, Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street, George Town. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908, of the Qing Dynasty) who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras. Funds to get the project realised came from wealthy benefactors of that time, including Cheong Fatt Tze, Zhang Yunan, Cheah Choon Seng, Chung Keng Kwee and Tye Kee Yoon. In recognition of their contribution, they were all made the Five Principal Directors of the temple.

The initial temple structure was built on the summit of He Shan. It cost $180,000 Straits Dollars. The 10-acre site was purchased in 1893, and the temple was completed in 1904. An official opening ceremony was conducted on 13th January, 1905. It was only in 1927 that the iconic pagoda, known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, today one of the most recognisable landmarks of Penang, came into being. As well as this, the other star attraction is the 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin, standing on the hillside above the pagoda, which was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002.

Admission to Pagoda: RM2.

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What can anyone say about this temple but wow, It is enormous, full of statues, buddas, ornamental pagodas, and the icing on the cake is of course the Kuan Yin statue which towers over the whole complex and once you are up there beside her you can see magnificent views of Georgetown and the enormity of the temple itself, being Chinese new year whilst we were there they have the whole place lit up with thousands of lanterns and fairy lights which prompted us to go back and visit the temple at night, Fantastic!

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This magnificent Buddhist temple sits on a hill at Ayer Itam. Construction started in 1893 and was completed in 1905. The entrance is reached through arcades of souvenir stalls.

The centrepiece is the Ban Po Thar or "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas". It took 20 years to build and was finished in 1930. The pagoda is of Chinese design at the base, Thai in the middle and the crown is Burmese. The temple also features gardens, shrines, sculptures & a turtle pond.

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1. Visit Kek Lok Sie and Penang Hill. It is near by. Enjoy the young coconut near Kek Lok Sie. The taste is kind of pandan leaf. Su unique.

2. Enjoy the gurney drive when evening time. You can take some local foods there.

3. Getting around Georgetown. It is more historical places. You also can enjoy some local foods there. I remember last time i went there. I took one ice cendol in somewhere around Georgetown.

4. If possible, you can take car from penang Island and then cross to Penang Mainland via Penang bridge. When you go back from mainland to island, you can take ferry. It is really fun.

I really like visiting Penang. I hope i can go there again next time..

happy traveling

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I really think that this is a MUST SEE in Penang, especially if you haven't seen many Temples before.

It has been said that it is the finest Buddhist temples in South East Asia, this could well be true!

Situated on a hill overlooking Penang, its worth coming here just for the views. The Temple took quite a few years to build, being completed in 1905, with The “Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas” taking more than 20 years to build and was only completed in 1930.

It is built in tiers, and sits amongst lovely landscaped gardens, a Turtle pond which also has large Carp, shrines and lovely sculptures. Each tier is built in a different design with the 1st tier, a Chinese octagonal base, middle tiers are of Thai architecture and the top is a Burmese crown.

At the start, you may pass few some beggars, we did, then its an uphill climb to reach the top, plenty of steps, so be warned!

One section we didn't go to is the bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda.
If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, then go left as you get to the furthest hall, which is also the largest and look for the signs for the 'incline lift' to the goddess.
Use of the lift costs RM 2 each way.

If you want to go to the main prayer hall which we did, then it will cost you another 2rm.

A really lovely Temple to visit!

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hi,

for historical places, you can go to Georgetown. There are national museum, fort, old masjid, old church, little india and some old buildings. Take a walk for the tour around those places.

The best eating place is gurney drive. Many local food there. The best time to visit there is evening time.

Kek lok si and Penang hill r at the same area. So you can make it in one day. And then in evening, u can spend ur time to Gurney Drive.
There is temple at Lebuh Burma. It is reclining budha temple. It is good to visit also.
check this web for more info http://www.penang-traveltips.com/
so, happy traveling..

Kek Lok Si Temple is located on top of a hill at Air Itam and it is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The tower is seven-tier and 30m high.

There are many tours that will take you there but you can also catch the TransitLink shuttle bus No.8 or Yellow Bus No.85.