Kek Lok Si
Penang
Temple of 10,000 Buddhas, Temple of Supreme Bliss
Updatde: Chinese New Year 2010 Celebrations. Click here for dates and times to see the special lightings.
Quick Facts about the Kek Lok Si Temple
- Built: 1893 - 1893 Under the guidance of the Chief Monk of Goddess Of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng) in Pitt Street, Penang. His name was Beow Lean, who also became the first abbot of of the Kek Lok Si Temple.
- 1905 Official opening ceremony of temple.
- 1930 -Seven storey Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas installed by Thai King Rama VI.
- 2002 - Installation of Kuan Yin Statue
- Height of Kuan Yin Statue (made of bronze): 30 meters
- 2009 Grand Opening Ceremony of the Kek Lok Si Pavilion
- Height of Pavilion: 20 storey or 61 meters
- Design of Pavilion: 3-tiered roofs supported by 16 granite pillars
- Cost of Pavilion: RM20 million
- Address of Kek Lok Si Temple
Air Itam, Penang
What is so special about the Kek Lok si temple, penang?
It is the largest and most famous Chinese temple complex in Penang and also Malaysia. It may even be the largest in South East Asia. It sits on a special hill overlooking Georgetown.
This hill has all the right "fung shui" for a temple. The locals call the hill "He San" or Crane Hill. It is an extremely popular retreat for monks around the world.
What's There To See?
- Go up the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas - the largest pagoda in Malaysia. Count all the 10,00 Buddhas as you walk up the 7 floors. The view at the top is wonderful.
- Try the Inclined Lift - Take this lift to go up to the top section of the temple comlex where you will find the Kuan Yin Statue and the Pavilion.
- Stand at the base of the Kuan Yin Statue and receive the "shower of good luck" pouring out of the vase held by Kuan Yin.
- Marvel at the Pavilion and the life-sized statues of Kuan Yin that surround The Kuan Yin statue.
- Meditate at the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tian Huang Dian) under the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Kings who controls the four points of the Compass. Say hello to the Laughing Buddha there. He will give you happiness, hope and prosperity.
- Feed the tortoises at the Liberation Pond (Sacred Tortoise pond). Common, do something good today!
- Shop for souvenirs at the stalls along the stairways as you go down from the temple. The traders there are really friendly, but you must bargain to get a good price. This is a great place to get Penang T-Shirts and also nutmeg products.
- Visit the Air Itam Market nearby. Try the famous Penang Assam Laksa while you're there.
- Cool down at the Penang Hill and enjoy the view of Georgetown below.
How To Get To There
By Taxi
View Larger Kek Lok Si map
From Georgetown - Approximately RM20 per taxi (seat maximum of 4 adults) and takes about 20 minutes.
From Batu Ferringhi or Penang Airport - Approximately RM30 per taxi and takes about 35 minutes.
By Bus
I would recommend you to take the government run RapidPenang buses. It will cost you between than RM1 to RM3 per person per way. These RapidPenang bus routes will all go to there:
- U201, U203, U204, U206, T306 and U502
- alight at the Jalan Pasar stop, close to the Air Itam market. From here you can already see the Kek Lok Si Pagoda and the Kuan Yin Pavilion.
Opening Hours
7AM - 9PM daily
Admission Fee
Free, except for the
- Pagoda at RM2 per entry and
- Sky Lift at RM2 per way
Parking Charges
- Cars RM 2 per entry
- Motorcycle RM0.80 per entry
Address & Telephone
- Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia
- 604-8283317
When Is The Best Time To Visit
Penang Kek Lok Si Temple @ Night, during Chinese New Year
@snapshots
Although anytime is a good time to go there, to me the most memorable experience I have is during the 15 days of the Chinese Lunar Calendar or the Chinese New Year. This usually falls either towards the end of January or early February. The Chinese New Year for 2010 will fall on Sunday 14th February.
If you come at this time, you will be rewarded with beautifully decorated bright colorful lanterns throughout the whole temple. And during those 2 weeks of the Chinese New Year the temple will be fully lighted up with decorations. It's almost like fairyland.
Chinese New Year 2010 Celebrations
10,000 lanterns and 230,000 decorative lights will have been installed and will be lighted up during the following days:
- 7th February: lighting up ceremony at 7:00 PM on Sunday
- 12th - 15th February: whole temple will be lighted from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- 16th - 28th February: lights will be on from 7:00 PM to midnight
- 29th February - 13th March: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
*Note that the newly completed Octagonal Pavilion will only be lit from Chinese New Year eve onwards.
View of the temple complex from the Pagoda
Penang Kek Lok Si: Kek Lok Si Kek Lok Si Map Kek Lok Si Pagoda Kek Lok Si Liberation Pond Kek Lok Si Inclined Lift Kek Lok Si Hall of Heavenly Kings Kek Lok Si Penang - News
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