Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for 'Temple of Supreme Bliss'; Simplified Chinese: 极乐寺; Traditional Chinese: 極樂寺) is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on South East Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers.

The history of Kek Lok Si can be traced to the late 19th century. The founder and first Abbott of Kek Lok Si was the Venerable Beow Lean, who was born into a devout Buddhist family in Fujian province in 1844.

At the age of 33, he left his occupation as a businessman to devote his life to the teachings of Buddhism. In 1885, he came to Penang with the aim of obtaining donations for the renovation of a monastry in Fuzhou, China. Construction of Kek Lok Si Temple began in 1893 and was completed in 1905. Built in tiers, the beautifully crafted 'Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas' took more than 20 years to build and was only completed in 1930. It combines a Chinese octagonal base, middle tiers of Thai architecture and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple’s wide embrace of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

The temple also features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures. This is one of Penang’s (and Malaysia) most popular attractions. 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.

In 2002, a 30.2 m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin was completed and opened to public. The statue is located on the hillside above the pagoda. If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, look for the signs of the "Incline Lift" that can brings you there. It is an elevated box sized lift mounted on rails. The cost for using the "Inline Lift" will be RM3.00* each way.

The temple itself consists of several large hall 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. The temple is a focal point of festivals of the Chinese community in Penang. The Chinese New Year celebrations are particularly impressive, for 33 days following Chinese New Year, the temple remains open until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of light.

Contact Information

Address: Air Itam, 10450 Penang, Malaysia

Tel: +604 828 3317

Open Hours: 9.00 am - 6.00 pm daily (Open until late at night during Chinese New Year)

Entrance Fee: Free, except for a small charge of RM2.00* each for entry into the pagoda

Incline Life Fee: Adults - RM6.00* (2 ways), Children - RM3.00* (2 ways)

*prices subject to change

Getting There

Depending on where you’re coming from, you can hire a taxi from any location in Penang or take the Rapid Penang Bus U201 / U203 / U204 / U206 / U502. You will be able to see the Kuan Yin statue and Pagoda from afar. Stop at the bus stop located along Jalan Pasar, at the foothills of the temple.

From there, follow the signs leading to the temple.

Attractions in Penang