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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang
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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang

Unique pagoda with 3 blends - Penang
Unique pagoda with 3 blends
by kenyneo
Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Penang locals.

Ayer Itam
• 124 Photos
• 77 Reviews

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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: More of Kek Lok Si Pagoda
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  • kenyneo
  • By kenyneo on May 18, 2004
  • Penang Page by kenyneo
  • When Its lighted up - Penang
    When Its lighted up
    by kenyneo
    Station 4 - Amitabha Buddha Pagoda

    "Buddha of Infinite Light". He is one of the five Dhyani Buddhas. He is the Lord of the "Pure Land" of the West known as Sukhavati.

    According to Mahayana Buddhist sutras he was a king in the remote period of time. Renouncing his kingdom, he became a monk and was named Dharmakara, which means 'Treasury of Dharma'. Inspired by the teachings of the then Buddha of that time, Lokesvaraja Buddha, who taught him the way to supreme enlightenment many aeons ago, he made forty eight great vows for the saving of the sentient beings

    Station 5 - Hall of Devas

    In Hinduism Devas are the supreme and represent various forms of god, that is why the priest is called Deobhaju. But for Buddhism Deva are manifestations of the mind and the mind and the Guru are one

    Station 6 - Hall of Mahawira

    Aside from Buddhism, the most important school to arise in this period was Jainism. Unlike the other heretical schools, Jainism has survived to the present day as a major religion in India; unlike Buddhism, however, it has not spread outside of India. The great teacher of Jainism, Vardhamana Mahavira, lived at the same time as Siddhartha Guatama, the founder of Buddhism.

    This path involves a high degree of ascetism; quite literally the best lived life is one of total ascetism: no food or material involvement at all. Since this is an impossible idea, Mahavira developed a second path for normal human beings to follow. This involved five abstinences: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (abstinence from stealing), brahmacarya (chaste living), and aparigraha (abstinence from greed).

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple
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  • CandS
  • Updated By CandS on March 6, 2006
  • Penang Page by CandS
  • Kek Lok Si Temple - Penang
    Kek Lok Si Temple
    by CandS
    Kek Lok Si Temple is a 7 or 8 story high Buddhist temple... There are some amazing buildings around and it's definitely worth spending some time there...you might find you spend too much time there accidentially though...

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kuan Yin Statue at Kek Lok Si Temple
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  • cheekychic
  • By cheekychic on October 30, 2004
  • Penang Page by cheekychic
  • Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple - Penang
    by cheekychic
    The latest addition to Kek Lok Si Temple, the bronze statue of Kuan Yin (or Goddess of Mercy).

    The best time to view the temple is 1 or 2 days before Chinese New Year, to avoid the crowd. During this time, the temple area will be brightly lit with lanterns & lights.

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  • Directions: Can either take the funicular train from Kek Lok Si main temple (RM4 per trip) or take a short 5mins walk further up from the main temple's gate.
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple 1
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  • wufei
  • Updated By wufei on February 7, 2004
  • Penang Page by wufei
  • Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple - Penang
    by wufei
    The sprawling Buddhist temple of Kek Lok Si climbs up a hillside near the village of Air Itam, now really a suburb of Georgetown. The temple was begun in 1890 and, from all appearances, construction really hasn't ever stopped. The temple is supposedly the largest in Malaysia.

    The rambling temple consists of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell towers and just about every other typical temple structure you can think of, in varying styles from Burmese to Chinese to Thai.

    However, two structures dominate the scenery, especially when the temple is seen from afar. One is the seven storey pagoda which dates from the temple's founding. The other is a huge bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin -- a popular diety in Penang you'll note.

    The statue was newly completed in mid-2003 but construction of various surrounding structures is still under way.

    Whether you arrive by taxi or on foot from Air Itam, you'll end up first at the 'old' prayer hall. This doesn't look that old, and is worth looking in to see the walls lined with thousands of little niches holding Buddha statues.

    From the old prayer hall, you'll need to make your way through a sunken garden with a sort of gazebo covering a large plaster Buddha image. The 'new' prayer hall is high up behind the garden, but there's no direct route there. Instead, you'll need to make your way from the viewpoint of the next platform through a sequence of courtyards, alters and prayer halls.

    If you want to get a closeup look of the Kuan Yin statue, then veer 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.

    The incline lift is more of a tram -- an elevator-sized glass box mounted on rails which goes up to the terrace above the existing temple where the goddess stands. Use of the lift costs RM 2 each way.

    Continue with Kek Lok Si Temple 2

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Chinese Temple
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  • imstress
  • By imstress on November 17, 2004
  • Penang Page by imstress
  • Kek Lok Si Temple - Penang
    Kek Lok Si Temple
    by imstress
    Kek Lok Si is actually walkable from Penang Hill. Its about 20 mins to the foot of Kek Lok Si. The climb up is about another 30 mins.

    Leading to the Pagoda are few hundreds or thousands of steps. The steps are quite narrow with stalls along the two side of the staircase selling T-Shirt and touristy items.

    On the way down, we did not want to go pass those stalls again. So we followed the vehicle path way and the walk was faster (10 mins).

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple 2
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  • wufei
  • Updated By wufei on May 1, 2004
  • Penang Page by wufei
  • Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple - Penang
    by wufei
    Continue from Kek Lok Si Temple 1

    The route up to the 'new' prayer hall and pagoda is on the other side of the large prayer hall. From the 'incline lift' you need to cross the hall and go through the souvenir stands to find the desk where you must pay a 'voluntary' donation of another RM 2 to go up to the new prayer hall.

    Inside, the new prayer hall is quite opulent compared to the old hall. Intricately carved coloums like those on the Hainan Temple support the roof. Opposite the entry doors the wall is lined with three large Buddha images.

    Walk past the prayer hall to reach the large pagoda. The narrow stairway up is somewhat hidden behind the large Buddha image inside the base. Each level of the pagoda is slightly different, with various styles of Buddha images and other decor.

    Among the most interesting are the alabaster Buddha images, some of which are quite beautiful in their gracefulness.

    As you would expect, you get quite a good view of the temple as well as much of Penang from the upper levels of the pagoda. You can only climb up to the sixth level. The further levels are blocked off.

    Admission Fee
    There is no admission fee to the temple itself. However, fees do apply to the incline lift to the Kuan Yin statue and to enter the area of the new prayer hall and pagoda.

    Getting There
    You can get a taxi from Georgetown for RM 15 to 20 to take you to the temple. You can also take the TransitLink shuttle bus number 8 to Penang Hill and the temple.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si Temple
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  • city_guy
  • Updated By city_guy on December 28, 2003
  • Penang Page by city_guy
  • Kek Lok Si Temple - Penang
    Kek Lok Si Temple
    by city_guy


    It is the largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia, it is built on an extensive area and it is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. Behind the Kek Lok Si rises a bronze statue of this Goddess.

    Well, a truly beautiful place if you like temples and the buddhist culture. Go on a weekday if you don't like crowds and they do charge a small fee further inside the temple to visit one of the main rooms.

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  • Directions: There's a bus that goes there. Ask around or grab a cab from the city. It's around 6km from George Town.
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si
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  • hundertmorgen
  • By hundertmorgen on May 25, 2003
  • Penang Page by hundertmorgen
  • Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple - Penang
    by hundertmorgen
    Kek Lok Si is the most beautiful and the largest Buddhist Temple complex in South East Asia.

    Kek Lok Si is enthroned majestically on a hill in Ayer Itam, a small city in the island inside.

    Its seven-storey pagoda standing at 30m tall is a mixture of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture and craftsmanship. The octagonal base is typically Chinese, the middle tiers Thai and the spiral dome, Burmese.

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok See Temple
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  • jmmorgan
  • By jmmorgan on May 18, 2003
  • Penang Page by jmmorgan
  • Kek Lok Si Temple Penang - Penang
    Kek Lok Si Temple Penang
    by jmmorgan
    This temple is stunning. It's shear size is amazing. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours here if you intend to have more than a cursory glance.
    The temple is located to the west of Georgetown on a hill. It takes around 20 mins to get there by car. The temple is open from early morning until evening. Refreshments are available from stalls near the temple and the gift shop area inside.
    See my travelog for more pictures of this place.

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  • Directions: Near the Ayer Itam area.
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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: KEK LOK SI TEMPLE
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  • cancian
  • By cancian on January 27, 2004
  • Penang Page by cancian
  • KEK LOK SI TEMPLE - Penang
    KEK LOK SI TEMPLE
    by cancian
    Kek lok si temple watches from hilli in Air Itam.
    As one of the finest Buddhist temple in South East Asia, you will find on temple grounds picturesque gardens shrines and most of all.
    Influenced by Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture, the Pagoda of ten thousand Buddha as took 20 years build

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular
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