One of the finest Buddhist temples in South-east Asia, Kek Lok Si temple stands majestically on a hill in Air Itam. Known as “The Temple of Supreme Bliss”, it is built in tiers culminates the beautifully crafted ”Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas”. It took more than 20 years to build which features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful buddhist sculptures.

The temple consist of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell towers and just about every other typical temple structure you can think of, in varying styles from Burmese to Chinese to Thai.

It is known that The Kek Lok Si project was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

The main attractions that dominate the scenery will be the 7-storey pagoda and the huge bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin — a popular diety in Penang. If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, walk to the furthest hall and take an incline lift to the hilltop. The air-condition incline lift is more like tram and it could bring you up with a cost of RM2 each way.
 
The 7-storey pagoda or “Pagoda of 10,000 Buddha” is another interesting attractions. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple’s embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. It is located at the new prayer hall  where you must pay a ‘voluntary’ donation of  RM2.

At the Kek Lok Si Temple ground, there is a beautiful gardens and sacred pond. One of the famous ones will be of course “The Liberation Pond” (Sacred Turtle Pond). Chinese tradition believes that a turtle is a symbol of longevity, strength and endurance. It is an act of spiritual liberation when a turtle is captured and set free in this pond.

There is no admission fee to the temple itself. Small fees is needed if you want to visit the pagoda and Kuan Yin statue. It is best that you wear a comfortable running shoes and bring a bottle of mineral water before visiting the temple. For more information on kek lok si, visit www.penang-vacations.com

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