Day trip to Kek Lok Si temple in Penang – Malaysia

A must see and do while you’re traveling in Penang is to head to Kek Lok Si temple. Normally, after having spent so many months in China, Nepal and Southeast Asia on the whole, you know how burnt out I was with temples in general however Kek Lok Si temple was definitely unique and well worth the trip from Georgetown to get here.

Kek Lok Si temple

Known as the ‘Temple of Supreme Bliss’, Kek Lok Si temple is a buddhist temple that was built high up on the hill in Penang. It is so high up that looking out from its peak, you are literally overlooking Penang with Georgetown in the distance. What is also impressive is the fact that it’s the largest Buddhist temple in all of Southeast Asia and for Malaysia, Kek Lok Si holds the record for the tallest temple pavilion that includes the 7 story, 30 meter high pagoda that looms over the land and holds the bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. And thank god too for this massive pagoda sitting high on the hill. When our bus dropped us off in the middle of town, it was my point of reference in figuring out how to navigate the streets to find the entrance to this temple!

For a small donation, you can make a wish and hang one as well…

The area that the Kek Lok Si temple is located is a town known as Air Itam in Penang which is primarily made up of Chinese descendants. In fact, Kek Lok Si temple was founded by a Chinese immigrant to Penang and construction started on the temple back in 1890.

And if you’re wondering why I’m carrying on about all the details regarding this amazing temple, I really do make it a point to learn about the places I go… No really, I’ve learned that if you really want to get the most out of an experience when ‘seeing the sights’ I’ve found it’s so much more interesting and beneficial to learn about places before you arrive somewhere otherwise, it’ll be ‘just another temple’.

They had flowers everywhere…

…But apparently they didn’t want you taking them with you.

And anyone that has traveled for weeks or months on end can relate. But of course, I hope to pass along some history along with my first hand experiences of destinations  traveled on this blog… After all, what fun are facts without stories?

More detail on the walls inside the temple…

One of things you can do while exploring Kek Lok Si temple is to hike to the top of the main pagoda. I call it a hike because of the ridiculously steep stairs it takes to climb to reach its peak. Once there though, the view over Penang and even Georgetown from that vantage point is amazing. True, my pictures here don’t give it justice as it was unfortunately an overcast day and I didn’t have a 20 pound telephoto lens on me but it was still an impressive overlook… and extremely windy as well!

The overlook from Kek Lok Si pagoda over Penang. That’s Georgetown in the distance… Don’t yet have a fancy telephoto lens, this is all you get in this shot!

Looking straight down from atop the pagoda

Another interesting feature of Kek Lok Si is its amazing gardens and overall design. Its been said this Chinese design inspired temple is very ‘Feng Shui’ and spending some time here, you can see the notable differences in how everything is in balance. After being through more than 50 temples myself, it did come across as such.

If you make it here, have fun with your journey up the hillside to the entrance of the temple.

There is a very long and winding covered walkway that is lined with street vendors trying to sell you as many things as possible, the majority of which you do not need and could find elsewhere throughout Malaysia without all the sales pitches and pressure tactics you normally receive in a high touristy areas. Should you entertain these local vendors, have some fun with it and don’t be afraid to negotiate…

Looks like I caved and bought a pair of cheap sunglasses while walking through those street vendors I just told you to avoid!

If you go, here is a quick run down on Kek Lok Si temple: (at the time I wrote this)

Pricing: Admission is free unless you decide you want to go into the Pagoda and Sky lift in which it will be RM 2.
Hours: 9am-6pm daily.
Official Website: Kek Lok Si temple  (though lacking in some crucial details)

What’s the first thing you read when you see this? Yes, that what I thought too when I first entered the temple… it does reinforce the hours I wrote above though!

Directions on getting to Kek Lok Si temple from Georgetown:

By Bus: Costs about RM 2 and you can take Bus 204 to Air Itam
By Taxi: Costs about RM 25 and
By Foot: Free but not a good idea, unless you like to walk for hours or you’re coming from the neighboring Penang Hill which I’ll be covering that experience soon!