Kek Lok Si Temple
极乐寺
One of Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temples. Its seven-story Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas blends Chinese, Thai and Burmese styles, and a 30-meter bronze Guanyin on the hilltop overlooks Air Itam. The Lunar New Year lantern display is the high point of Penang's festive season.
Kek Lok Si lies on the slope of Air Itam about 8 kilometers west of George Town. It was founded in 1891 by the Fujianese monk Miao Lian and received a set of Buddhist scriptures and a plaque reading 'Kek Lok Si, Granted by Emperor Guangxu of the Great Qing' from Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty. Over a century of expansion, it became one of Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temples. The temple is built into the hillside. From the shops at the foot of the hill (selling souvenirs and vegetarian food), steps lead upward past a turtle pond (a liberation pond) to the main hall and the Ten Directions Pagoda Courtyard on the middle level. The landmark Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, built in 1930, is 30 meters tall with seven stories. Its base is Chinese octagonal, its middle level is Thai and its golden top is Burmese, symbolizing the fusion of three Buddhist traditions. The tower holds 10,000 Buddha statues and can be climbed (admission about RM 2). Then take the inclined elevator (round trip about RM 16) to the hilltop platform, where a 30.2-meter bronze Guanyin statue (2002) stands under a 60-meter-high giant pavilion, overlooking Air Itam and George Town in the distance. For about a month around the Lunar New Year, the whole temple is hung with tens of thousands of lanterns and colored lights, and it stays open until 23:00 at night. It is Malaysia's most famous New Year light display. Entry to the temple is free. It is generally open from about 08:30 to 17:30, with longer hours during the New Year. A visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Getting there: take buses 201, 203 or 204 from Komtar for about 40 minutes to Air Itam, then walk 10 minutes up the hill, or take Grab for about RM 20. It is often paired with Penang Hill (2 kilometers away) for a day trip, and the Air Itam laksa at the foot of the hill is a must-try snack. Notes: remove your shoes inside the halls and cover your shoulders and knees. There are many steps, so use the elevator if needed. Weekends and the New Year lantern festival are extremely crowded.
Opening hours
08:30–17:30 (until 23:00 during Lunar New Year lantern festival)
Nearby sights
- The Habitat Penang Hill
- Penang Hill
- Penang Botanic Gardens
- Wat Chayamangkalaram
- Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
- Gurney Drive
- The TOP Komtar
- Kimberley Street Night Food