Georgetown Sights

Kek Lok Si Temple

#1 of 149 things to do in Georgetown

#2 of 389 things to do in Peninsular Malaysia – West Coast

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Anyone and everyone!, Kek Lok Si is a must-see, History and Culture

  • Address
    • Air Itam
  • Transport
    • Yellow Bus 85
    • TransitLink shuttle bus 8
  • Price
    • free, Ban Po Thar tower: RM2.00
  • Hours
    • 09:00-18:00

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Lonely Planet review for Kek Lok Si Temple

The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia was founded in 1890 by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist. To reach the entrance, walk through arcades of souvenir stalls, past a tightly packed turtle pond and murky fish ponds, until you reach Ban Po Thar, a seven-tier, 30m (98ft) tower. The design is said to be Burmese at the top, Chinese at the bottom and Thai in between.

In another three-storey shrine, there's a large Thai Buddha image that was donated by King Bhumibol of Thailand. Presiding high above all the temple structures is a striking bronze figure of Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy. The temple's name translates, quite delightfully, as 'Temple of Supreme Bliss'.

 

Traveller reviews for Kek Lok Si Temple (1)

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    Kek Lok Si - Temple of Supreme Bliss

    captain_courageous recommends this,

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    Construction of the temple began in 1890 and has become Penang’s most well-known landmark. It is the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia.

    Pagoda of Rama VI - the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas is the signature emblem of Kek Lok Si Temple.

    In 1930 the seven storey main pagoda of the temple or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown; reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

    On the lower level is a sunken garden in the foreground of Ban Po Thar pagoda and a gazebo covering a large plaster Buddha image.

    At the Pagoda entrance at the hilltop, is a lovely Chinese zodiac garden located in front of the prayer hall and a Water Pavilion where you can walk along and sit.

    At the top of the cable car station is The Liberation Pond (Sacred Turtle Pond) with turtles - a big hit with children. Chinese tradition believes that a turtle is a symbol of longevity, strength and endurance. It is an act of spiritual liberation when a turtle is captured and set free in this pond.

    But the most amazing wonder is the magnificent statue of Kuan Yin.

    The Kuan Yin Goddess of Mercy Pavilion is an enormous pavilion and shelters the gigantic statue of the Kuan Yin, or Goddess of Mercy. The consecration of the pavilion was conducted on Sunday 6th December, 2009. The date was chosen as it coincided with the 118th anniversary of the founding of Kek Lok Si Temple.

    The Goddess of Mercy Pavilion is 82.7 meters tall, from its base to the tip, equivalent to the height of a 20-storey building. The roof is a three-tier pagoda supported by 16 granite pillars embellished with ornate carvings. Each of the pillars comprises 40 cylindrical blocks which are made of granite with a thickness of 45 centimeters. Each cylinder block has a circumference of 2.1 meters. The pavilion was built at a cost of RM40 million.

    The 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda draws large crowds. This statue was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002.

    The present Kuan Yin statue is the second for Kek Lok Si Temple. The idea for a statue was initiated back in 1976. The first statue was completed in 1977 at the cost of RM1.8 million. However heavy rain and a fire which broke out in 1993 damaged it.

    The new prayer hall is quite opulent and intricately carved columns support the roof. Opposite the entry doors the wall is lined with three large Buddha images. The ceiling, pillars and walls hold wonderful paintings and carvings and there is a feeling of peacefullness.

    To get to the top is an incline lift - this 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.
    Instead of using the cable car, you can always climb up the stairs ~ for the fit, the die-hards and the show-offs!☺

    Good for: Anyone and everyone!, Kek Lok Si is a must-see, History and Culture

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