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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang

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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple, Penang
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Things to Do in Penang: Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Penang locals.
Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple
Ayer Itam
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Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Visiting Kek Lok Si Temple
A huge statue of Goddess of Mercy and a 7-storey Pagoda leaves you a deep impression of this temple. Currently the temple is building a shelter for the statue of Goddess of Mercy. The Pagoda is also undergoing some renovation. However is still worth a visit as you can admire the great architecture works.

How to get to this place? -- You can get to this place by catching a cab and telling the driver Kek Lok Si temple UPHILL. Must mention that you are going uphill or you will have to climb a long way uphill before reaching the temple. It would cost you around RM20 (per trip) from Georgetown hotels. The return trip will cost the same.

Bear in mind that there is a tram that goes up a hill to see the statue of Goddess of Mercy and it closes at 5.00 pm. and the temple 5.30pm. You may wish to arrive at 2-3pm, spend a few hours there and walk the stairs downhill where you can see/feed the turtles and browse souvenir shops. If you are interested to buy T-shirts esp. those printed with Penang attractions, the further down you go, the cheaper it gets esp. near closing time around 5-5.30pm. e.g. a T-shirt near the top of the hill can cost RM10 while near the bottom is 4 for RM10 !! Is really a big difference! My guess is that Penang locals like to close a deal just before closing for good luck. :)

After visiting the temple, is best that you catch a cab to Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) as it is just nearby. Bargain with the cab drivers. RM7-8 would be a reasonable price.

  • Directions: Is close to Penang Hill funicular station

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: See the overcrowded Turtle Pond
    After passing a number of shopping arcades with stalls selling souvenirs and clothes, you reach a courtyard with a pond where thousands of turtles struggle to get their small piece of land under the sun. Apparently, it is here that locals release their pet turtles when they grow too big or get tired of them.

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: The Temple
    Air Itam is synonymous with the Kek Lok Si Temple.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Say a little prayer
    Devotees are found saying their prayers at Kek Lok Si.

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si
    For foreigner they dont have much comment on Kek Lok Si; for some people from north peninsular malaysia like ngcss may comment that he doesnt like Kek Lok Si.

    I think this is very personal. Kek Lok Si is a 'tourist' place where you can buy 'penang' t-shirt, handicraft, hats and sun glasses along the way up to the temple. Remember to bargain hard.

    Entrance to Kek Lok Si is free except the top part. You need to pay RM2 for the top part of the temple.

    There are cable car under construction to go to the middle of the hill for the standing 'Kuan Yin'. It was proposed to start service during mid 2005.

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Peace and serenity
    Great half day away from the beaches of the north and the hustle and bustle of georgetown. I hired a car and had no problems getting to the temple and there is a small car park at the bottom of the steep access route. You can actually drive further up the road towards the dam but we parked at the bottom of the hill. A french lady staying at the same hotel said she had struggled to get to the temple under her own steam and in the end plumped for a tour. Hire the car it gives you more freedom, or if in a group hire the taxi. Driving in and around gorgetown is a nightmare. Outside of the city it's not that bad. The temple is peaceful and beautiful the people using the temple are friendly, just remember to remove your shoes before entering any of the temple buildings. We approached the temple through an avenue of chinese stalls selling all sorts of souvenir stuff. Half way up there is a pool full of turtles which you can feed for a couple of ringit. Not sure about this given the numbers of turtles the space available and the colour of the water.

  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular railway

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Fun to look around at Kek Lok Si
    Issues: Too many stores inside the temple complex selling random stuff
    Right now the Goddess of Mercy is surrounded by contruction frames which are covering pillars which will be built in front of her, so if you go by lift (which will cost 7rm or something like that), you will still not get a good view : (

    Is actually not as close to the funicular for Penang Hill as one might expect. When you are on top of Ayar Itam when you're on the buddhist complex, the taxi driver said its about 20 mins to go to penang hill. If you walk down to the foot of the temple, and in town again, the funicular is still hard to find. I suggest taking the public bus to Penang Hill, because then there is a bus back towards Kek Lok Si also, so that will work out better. I think the bus number to Penang Hill was 204. Tickets cost about 1.50 rm

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  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Touristy Temple
    It is a very impressive collection of buildings, shrines and statues, but it is soooo touristy - everywhere you walk you are in the way of someone's photgraph. Souvenir shops at every turn, but you cannot deny the impact of the ornate tiles and plasterwork.

    Don't bother going up the 'cable car' to the top level as it's covered in scaffolding at the moment (spring 2008).

    We got a cab there, couldn't be bothered with the bus. The area below the temple 'Ayer Hitam' is a very interesting Chinese neighbourhood, spend some time there too and look round the wet market.

  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: An Immense Buddhist Temple
    Kek Lok Si Temple, set on a mountain scenery, is a must-see for any visitors in Penang. The temple, with gardens and numerous Chinese sculptures, is built on ascending levels ending in the awe-inspiring Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Inside the complex with interconnecting buildings, you'll have great views of the surrounding mountain area, including a view of the distant KOMTAR building framed by a round concrete gate in one of the upper levels.

    There's an admission fee of RM 2 per person and a limited number of parking spaces are available.

  • Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

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    Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple: Kek Lok Si
    Kek Lok Si is a cluster of Buddhist temples located on a mountainside overlooking Georgetown. It took 20 years to build the temples.

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