You are probably wondering what places to visit in Penang? Don’t forget to have a look at Kek Lok Si temple. One of the most famous and admirable temples in Penang is Kek Lok Si.

It is located on Ayer Itam Hillside in Georgetown on Penang Island. Kek Lok Si brings many Chinese temples to life all over Malaysia.

This temple houses the Ban Po Thar Pagoda Buddhas (10,000 Buddhas), the tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin (The Goddess of Mercy), souvenirs and food market. It has become one of the top tourist attractions in penang. From far away you can tell that, the temple view was really fantastic by looking at it. The historic relevance of the Kek Lok Si can be seen in sculptures, paintings and carvings etc., The beauty and complex design is a cornerstone of the Malaysian Chinese Community.  The temple grounds split into three areas, with the first being the entrance area of temple ground. The second area includes the pagoda and four heavenly kings. The third area includes the compassionate kuan yin avalokitesvara. The temple grounds split into three areas, with the first being the entrance area of temple ground. The second area includes the pagoda and four heavenly kings. The third area includes the compassionate kuan yin avalokitesvara.

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Out of three areas, the most popular one is the main grounds, where visitors can view the giant pagoda and statues of four heavenly kings along with Buddha in the prayer hall. At Kek Lok Si temple grounds contains beautiful gardens and sacred ponds, where one of the famous ponds is ” Liberation Pond”.8

Tourists who have religious essence will come to this temple to find inner peace and love for all creatures. While you are exploring the temple you will find it quite amusing to see the striking feature of Rama IV. Seven-story Pagoda houses 10000 Buddha, it depicts the harmony between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.3

The temple complex includes the main attraction of Kuan Yin Bronze Statue represents a height of 30.2 meters. If you have an opportunity to visit these temple during the Chinese lunar new year, you will see the glowing and sparkling Buddhist temple that have never seen before. The temple is filled with red and yellow lanterns that light up the hills during the night.5

The devotees come every week to pray inside the huge temple halls and pagodas which holds treasures of knowledge and teachings. Along the path, you will find a lot of souvenir shops, T-shirt and many others memorable. You can try to bargain in the shops until you get a reasonable price.0

From the hill area of Kek Lok Si is that one can get an exotic view of whole Penang city. The entrance of the Kek Lok Si temple is free, but the commit will charge an entrance fee RM 2 – RM 5 to the pagoda. You can walk along the main road to the Kuan Yin or take the cable car to further uphill.

The temple of supreme bliss sits majestically at the top of the hills is perhaps the remarkable gift Penang possesses today. Make sure to visit the Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si temple in one day.

Operational hours: 9 AM – 6 PM. For more information, regarding Kek Lok Si temple – Click Here

How to Reach:

Kek Lok Si temple is located at the Ayer Itam in Penang Island. Getting to Kek Lok Si Temple is very easy, you can take Rapid Penang Bus routes 201,203 and 204. This buses will take you to the base of the temple where you have to walk up the stairs full of souvenir shops.

For more information regarding the buses in Penang, visit Rapid Penang.

However, If you have your own transport or having the motorbike rental for one day, you can drive all the way up to the top to Kuan Yin Statue.