Penang is one of two cities in Malaysia that obtained UNESCO Heritage status in 2008. Among all the major tourist attractions, Kek Lok Si Temple remains a favorite despite many new establishments and developments in Penang in recent years. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.
This article will take an in-depth look at Kek Lok Si Temple based on our recent half-day tour. While many articles and blogs are already introducing this magnificent temple online, we aim to provide a different perspective based on our observations, accompanied by plenty of photos that will interest you and make you eager to visit this grand temple in person.
Join us as we visit the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia’s most elaborate and well-maintained Buddhist temple.
Arrived at Kek Lok Si early in the morning
We arrived at Air Itam after a quick breakfast, hoping to start our visit earlier and avoid the intense midday sunlight since it would be a bright, sunny day. Please refer to the final section of this article for information on how to get to Kek Lok Si Temple from Georgetown.
There are a few parking areas where you can park your car at Kek Lok Si. We stopped at the lower parking area, intending to take the cable car up to the upper part where the giant Guanyin / Kuan Yin statue is. Alternatively, you can drive up to the upper parking area and walk down slowly, as the temple is built on the hill and has many stairs interlinking all the temples at different locations.
After parking our car, we took some stunning shots of the pagoda, the iconic feature of Kek Lok Si Temple. The angle is great for capturing the whole structure and the finer details with a telephoto lens.
As we walked past the souvenir stores, we were greeted by the first Buddha statue sitting with a group of his disciples.
In front of him is a pond shaped like a lotus, with a small pagoda at the center of the pond.
The walkway next to the Buddha statue led us up to the main building of Kek Lok Si. Many Chinese phrases were chiseled on the rock and painted red along the path. All of them are good phrases of well-being and advice based on Buddhism.
The view from the vantage point after the walking path before visiting several prayer halls is magnificent and serene. The mountain is the backdrop, and the colorful temple architecture is the main subject.
Enter the main temple complex
After passing through an arched doorway, we enter the temple complex. Inside, a row of standing Buddha statues surrounds a small building featuring a seated Buddha statue.
This area also serves as a place for donations and selling items to raise funds for the further development of Kek Lok Si.
Next to it is another shrine that features a laughing Buddha, with the four heavenly kings surrounding him on the left and right sides of the hall.
We emerged from the back of this shrine, where there is a white baby Buddha statue. Three months ago, we saw a similar baby Buddha statue in Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.
The main prayer hall
After that, we visited the main prayer hall of Kek Lok Si, with a horizontal plaque at the top of the entrance, which is inscribed with the Chinese characters 大雄宝殿, meaning “the main prayer hall.” It is an intricately designed structure with detailed carvings on the exterior of the temple halls and ceiling. Inside the hall are three golden Buddha statues in the center, flanked by smaller ones on either side. However, no description or explanation of the displays was provided.
Bronze Giant Guan Yin Statue
After visiting the main hall, we continued our walk through a courtyard that led to another building selling souvenirs and items related to Kok Lok Si. It is stated that all receipts will be used for temple development and maintenance. We took the inclined lift to visit the huge Bronze Statue of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin statue) at the temple’s highest point.
The ticket costs RM6 for a round trip for adults, and only cash is accepted.
We alighted from the lift’s upper station, where there is a garden featuring the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
The bronze statue of Guanyin is a magnificent piece of architecture. It is 30.2 meters (99 feet) in height and constructed with bronze, making it one of the world’s tallest statues of Kuan Yin. It is the most prominent feature of Kek Lok Si Temple, beside the pagoda. There are also a few more statues of deities below the Guan YIn statue, whose names I still need to learn.
You can also see the head of the old Guanyin statue, which was destroyed a few years ago. The new bronze statue was built after that.
The main temple of five directions 五方佛殿
Our last stop is to visit the pagoda. There is an entrance fee of RM2. The pagoda is the most important building at Kek Lok Si, and we had no hesitation in paying the small fee.
Inside the hall are five Buddha statues, each associated with one of the five celestial realms in Mahayana Buddhism. The most well-known of these to the Chinese is Amitābha Buddha, located in the western direction, beyond numerous other Buddha realms.
The hall showcases an array of meticulously crafted carvings on its walls and ceiling, with intricate detail.
Before reaching the pagoda, there is another temple hall called 五方佛殿, which means the main temple of five directions.
The Pagoda of Kek Lok Si
Our trip’s final point of interest is the Pagoda of Kek Lok See Temple. This pagoda has an octagonal base and is seven stories high.
We climbed to the highest accessible level of the pagoda. Each level featured a statue of Buddha. The stairs were narrow and slippery as we went up to the higher level, and the decorations also became basic as we ascended. The highest level we could access was the 7th level. The view of George Town from the top was stunning beyond words.
When we visited Penang Hill in the morning, the misty sky prevented us from taking clear panoramic photos. However, the top of the pagoda provides an even better vantage point for taking the perfect George Town panorama view.
🎞️ Watch the video shot during our trip
Please watch the video we made for our trip on YouTube. As below:
About Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple, situated in Air Itam (Ayer Itam), Penang, is renowned as Malaysia’s most prominent Buddhist Monastery.
Kek Lok Si Temple was built by Master Beow Lean 妙莲法师 (1844-1907), the abbot of Guangfu Temple in Pitt Street. He originally hailed from Yongquan Temple in Gushan, Fujian, China. In 1885, he came to Penang. Two years later, he became the abbot of Guangfu Temple in Pitt Street. He sought a peaceful place to spread Buddhism and eventually found the site in Air Itam.
The construction of Kek Lok Si Temple began in 1890 and was completed in 1905. A remarkable highlight is the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, finalized in 1905 and sponsored by the Thai King Rama VI. This seven-story pagoda has 10,000 Buddha statues, showcasing an architectural fusion of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese influences.
Venerable Beow Lean served as the temple’s first abbot until 1938 when he supervised its expansion and the creation of various halls and prayer areas. His successors continued to enhance the temple, with significant contributions from Venerable Poon Teong and other subsequent abbots, including the construction of the towering statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
How do you go to Kek Lok Si from George Town?
When traveling from George Town to Kek Lok Si Temple, there are several transportation options to consider:
- Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services: Services like Grab provide a convenient and relatively cheap option.
- Bus: A bus ride is a cost-effective choice. Rapid Penang buses 201, 204, and 502 operate from George Town to Air Itam, the location of Kek Lok Si Temple, and the journey typically takes 30-45 minutes.
- Car Rental: Renting a car provides flexibility and convenience, particularly for those interested in exploring neighboring areas. The drive from George Town to Kek Lok Si takes about 25-30 minutes. Please note that vehicles in Malaysia are right-hand drive.
- Bicycle or Motorbike: For a more adventurous experience, renting a bicycle or motorbike can offer a scenic and enjoyable journey. However, navigating the hilly terrain up the temple can be challenging.