One of the places you must visit in Penang, Malaysia. The temple especially comes alive during Chinese New Year, when thousands of lanterns are lit to signify the coming new year. Kek Lok Si Temple, located in Air Itam Penang, is a popular tourist destination in Penang. It is one of the largest temple in Southeast Asia, and was first constructed in 1890. There are several features of the temple, including carved dragon pillars, a 30.2 meters bronze statue of Goddess Kuan Yin, and several other designs reflecting its embrace of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. The temple especially comes alive during Chinese New Year, when thousands of lanterns are lit to signify the coming new year. Visitors to the temple will be awed by the temple’s beauty, serenity and definitely earn its name of Temple of Supreme Bliss!
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| Nice View of Penang Kek Lok Si Temple |
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| KEK LOK SI Temple |
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| Goddess Kuan Yin |
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| Goddess Kuan Yin |
Most visitors approach the temple as they ascend a stairway, roofs of which provide shelter to a multitude of shops selling souvenirs and other – mostly secular – commodities. They pass by a so-called Liberation Pond, following the buddhist tradition of merit-making, turtles may be released into freedom, albeit a limited one.
The temple itself consists of several large halls for assembly and prayer, here, statues of Buddha, various Bodhisattvas as well as Chinese gods are being venerated. Intricate woodwork, often brightly painted and a plethora of lanterns add to the visual impression.
There is an inclined lift to carry pilgrims and visitors further uphill. On the elevated platform, you can find a pond filled with Koi and the towering statue of Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy, which can also be regarded as Avalokitheshvara, Bodhisattva of Universal Compassion.
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| The Lights |
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| The Temple brightly illuminated during the 30 nights following Chinese New Year |
The 3 main section of the Kek Lok Si
Temple ground – The hill entrance, souvenir sellers, food and drinks, liberation pond.
Mid Section – Temples and gardens, the pagoda, four heavenly kings.
Hilltop – Statue of Kuan Yin, gardens and temples.
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| KEK LOK SI Tanglung and Temple |
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| KEK LOK SI Tanglung and Temple |
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| KEK LOK SI Tanglung and Temple |
Open Hours: 9.00AM – 6.00PM Daily
The entrance to the Kek Lok Si Temple is free but the entrance fees to the Pagoda is RM 2.00 per entry. Incline Lift to see the statue of Kuan Yin is RM2.00 each way.
The Kek Lok Si parking fees is RM2.00 per entry for a car and RM0.80 per entry for a motorcycles. Taxi from George Town about RM20.00, from Batu Feringghi about RM30.00.
Tourism Malaysia Penang, 56th Floor, KOMTAR, 10000, Penang, Pulau Pinang.
Tel: +604 264 3494 / 263 4941 , Fax: +604 262 3688
