Kek Lok Si
We got off the Rapid Penang #201 bus at Air Itam Market and walked toward a small alley near Kong Min School. At first, we tried climbing the steps up the hill, but after a few breathless minutes, we decided to turn back.
Instead, we made our way to the foothill car park area, right next to the school—and that turned out to be a very good decision.
A Much Easier Way Up
Here, we discovered what felt like a new and very welcome addition—a series of inclined lifts and buggy rides that took visitors all the way up to the temple.
For RM16 (≈ USD3.60/EUR3.60), the journey included:
- An inclined lift to Station 2
- A buggy ride to Station 3
- Another inclined lift to Station 4
It saved us a lot of time and energy, and it was well worth it.
About Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Southeast Asia.
The name meant:
• “Temple of Supreme Bliss”
• Or simply, a place of “great joy”
It was also sometimes called the Temple of Paradise, reflecting its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
The Goddess of Mercy
At the top awaited one of the temple’s main highlights—the Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) statue.
The bronze statue stood at over 30 metres tall, replacing an older structure that had been damaged years earlier. Above it was a large pavilion supported by bronze columns, creating an impressive and serene space.
Standing there, it felt calm, quiet, and deeply meaningful.
Exploring the Grounds
After taking in the view, we wandered around the zodiac garden and explored the temple grounds further. There were small waterfalls, statues, and quiet corners perfect for photos—and of course, a few “wefies.”
When we were ready, we made our way back down:
• Inclined lift to Station 3
• A relaxed walk past the rows of Buddha statues
• A buggy back to Station 2
• Final lift down to the foothill
Heading Back
From there, we walked back into Pekan Air Itam, bringing our visit to a close.
A Must-Visit in Penang
Kek Lok Si was truly an experience not to be missed. Together with Penang Hill, it remained one of the island’s most important landmarks.
We would recommend both without hesitation.
A Gentle Reminder
Before we end, just a small note: Masks may now be optional outdoors, but they are still required indoors.
Until Next Time
It was a peaceful morning, filled with history, culture, and quiet moments.
And just like that, our Penang story continued. Stay tuned!
(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
Pekan Ayer Itam - https://goo.gl/maps/M1tLVwVLwKeDCYAk8
Kek Lok Si Temple Car Park - https://goo.gl/maps/k68vJPwvzqCaQrbn8
Kek Lok Si’s Pagoda - https://goo.gl/maps/dQUjbL1PBNjr5de5A
Kek Lok Si Temple - https://goo.gl/maps/tPsCXddRm7dTMNjE6
Guan Yin Statue - https://goo.gl/maps/CkG8f1TBATdgCr5LA
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