Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is a majestic temple and the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia.
Kek Lok Si features a stairway going upwards to the temple, a Liberation Pond that follows the Buddhist tradition of merit-making, and an impressive architecture. Monks and nuns operate the temple.
Location
The temple is located at Ayer Itam in the centre of Penang Island.
Opening Days and Hours
Kek Lok Si is open daily from 07:00 to 21:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Most parts of the temple are freely accessible to visitors, although the elevator list costs RM 3 (USD 0.73) per person, and the pagoda costs RM 2 (USD 0.49) per person.
How to Get There
The site is easily accessible by road. As long as you are on Penang Island, you can get there by bus, on foot, taxi, or Uber.
Suggested For
The temple is a great place to visit for Buddhists or people with an interest in Buddhism and architecture. However, it may not be suitable for young children or seniors as guest would have to walk a lot to explore the temple grounds.
Time to Spend
You can spend 3 hours exploring the temple including the pagoda.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
The best time to go is on a weekday as it can be a bit packed during the holidays and weekends.
Activities
Most activities involve hiking. You can also choose to swim if part of your itinerary involves visiting the beach.
Food
Tourists are not allowed to eat within the temple grounds but you can find food stalls offering delicious local delicacies everywhere in Ayer Itam.
Nearby Attractions
- Penang Hill
Stay
You can opt to stay in any of Penang Island’s luxury, budget, and mid-range hotels, and hostels.
Good to Know
Visit the temple during the early morning to avoid the tourist crowds. Chinese New Year would also be a great time to visit, as the temple would be especially festive and filled with beautiful decorations.
