Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam

The Kek Lok Si Temple which is built on a hill is a well-known landmark and popular tourist spot.   It is one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Malaysia and has a history of over 110 years.   The older part of this temple complexs was completed between the 1890s till 1930s. Since then new temples have been added to it.

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To can access the complex by walking up the stairways from the road or drive to park at two levels of the complex (great care must be taken because of the narrow road). Walking up the complex, you will pass through several shops and stalls and reach a tortoise pond. Road-side stalls, shops along the stairways to the temple complex sell souvenirs, clothes, local foodstuff such as seasoned nutmeg and nutmeg ointment. (If you shop here: whatever you buy be sure to bargain). Mid-way you can also take a rail coach up.

Further up are temples and souvenir shops run by the temple.   The next level, where you have to pay admission, is a Buddhist temple with beautiful stone engravings constructed beside the famous multi-tiered, yellow Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddha. Much higher up, is a newly constructed area, where we see the head of the old statue of the Goddess of Mercy amidst a garden pool (and parking area). Above an enclosed temple, at the topmost level stands a bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy. This statue was completed in the year 2002.

Although Kek Lok Si is popular with Buddhist devotees, today it is also becoming a very popular tourist sight.

Location, Air Itam, Penang Island

Air Itam, Penang Island; Tel: 828 3317