Visiting Kek Lok Si Temple: Complete First-Timers Guide
Planning on visiting Kek Lok Si Temple? Read on for everything you need to know!
Kek Lok Si Temple is one of our favourite temples in Malaysia. Built over 7 levels, with over 10,000 Buddha images, a 36.5m tall statue, and painted in bright colours, I would be surprised if you’ve ever visited a temple quite like this.
If you’re planning a visit to this impressive temple complex, we’ve outlined everything you need to know after visiting the temple twice ourselves.
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Overview: What Is Kek Lok Si Temple?
Kek Lok Si is located on Penang Island, in the small local town of Air Itam. It is the largest Buddhist temple in the whole of Malaysia, making it a very important place.
Not only is it of immense religious significance, Kek Lok Si Temple is incredibly beautiful, built over 7 stories and featuring over 10,000 Buddha statues. It is painted in bright colours, with several areas visitors can explore. At the highest level is a huge statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of compassion and mercy. It is an incredibly impressive temple to visit.
Essential Info Before You Go (Read This First)
Opening Hours
Kek Lok Si Temple is open from 8:30am to 5:30pm. During Chinese New Year, these opening times are extended with thousands of Chinese lanterns illuminating the sky from 7pm until midnight.
In order to miss the midday heat and humidity, we would recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon. This is also the best time to avoid the crowds.
Entrance Fees & What’s Free
In general, Kek Lok Si Temple is free to visit, however you do have to pay to access the Pagoda and the statue of Kuan Yin, though the fee is minimal. The Pagoda costs just 2 MYR per person, whilst the funicular up to the Kuan Yin statue costs 6 MYR return per person.
You can also get the funicular up to the first level of the temple which costs 8 MYR per person per way. You could always ride it up the hill then walk back down later, though the hill isn’t too steep to walk up so this is optional.
Tip – Bring cash, preferably in small bills. Card is not accepted
If you don’t want to pay, you can still visit a few sections for free, though it is worth paying the few ringgit to get into the other areas.
How Long Do You Need
Kek Lok Si is a huge temple and to make the most of it, you’re going to need to allocate around 2-3 hours. This takes into account time to explore at a leisurely pace, take tonnes of photos (it’s incredibly photogenic), and actually take in your surroundings. It’s not the sort of place you’ll want to rush around as there is so much to see.
How To Get To Kek Lok Si Temple
There are several easy ways to get to Kek Lok Si Temple and the option you choose will depend on budget, time constraints, and comfort level.
By Grab
The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Kek Lok Si Temple is by Grab. Grab is a bit like Uber. You’re driver will pick you up from wherever you are and take you directly to the temple entrance. The journey should take around 25 minutes depending on traffic. It’s an incredibly convenient way to get there, but it is more expensive.
On A Tour
Booking a tour to Kek Lok Si Temple is the most hassle-free way to visit. You will be picked up from your hotel in George Town, before driving to the temple. A knowledgeable local guide will show you around which is a fantastic way to learn more about the temple, it’s history, and it’s religious significance.
After a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple, you will get the opportunity to visit Penang Hill and its friendly resident monkeys. This is one of the best day trips from George Town, and it makes visiting Kek Lok Si Temple so much easier.
By Public Bus
We opted to get to Kek Lok Si Temple by public bus. It cost us just 2 MYR per person per way, and was actually pretty comfortable, though the air conditioning was very cold.
Tip – Bring exact money for the bus as change is not given!
You’ll want to take the 502 Rapid Penang bus from George Town. You can catch it from it’s starting point at the Jetty terminal, or at various points around town. Buses are pretty reliable and run every 35-45 minutes from 5:30am. Ask the driver to go to either Air Itam, or Kek Lok Si Temple.
We would recommend watching on a map where you are and getting off when you reach Air Itam. It’s pretty recognisable as it’s home to a bustling local market and you’ll probably find a lot of the locals get off here too.
A bus to Air Itam will take around 25-35 minutes. From there, it is just a 5-10 minute walk through the local markets to the entrance to the temple.
What To See Inside The Temple Complex
Kek Lok Si Temple is huge with several different areas to explore. Each area is totally different, so we would recommend taking the time to see them all. We did feel like it was a bit of a maze, with small paths leading off in different directions and lots of small shrines throughout the temple complex. However, that is part of the fun!
The Main Prayer Hall
The first part you’ll come across is the main prayer halls. These halls are absolutely huge and very grand. They are filled with so much detail and art, with every inch of the walls covered in tiny gold Buddhas. There are three larger shrines dedicated to Buddhist deities.
Near the entrance, you can purchase little ribbons which you can tie onto a tree to make your wishes come true. Each colour of ribbon represents a different wish. We think this is a beautiful thing to do, and it only costs 1 MYR which goes towards maintenance of the temple.
The Central Courtyard
Just outside of the main prayer hall is the central courtyard. This is one of the most photogenic places spots in the temple. Everything is painted in bright colours which is stunning. There are various points to stop and take a photo, each offering a completely different view.
We recommend spending some time exploring this area and taking in the stunning temple from outside. It’s also a great place to really start to appreciate the scale of the temple, as it towers around you on all sides.
The Three-Tiered Pagoda
The Three-Tiered Pagoda was one of our favourite parts of Kek Lok Si Temple. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, with the walls made up of Buddha statues, and an incredible view over Penang. Even the gate to get into this section is so beautiful. You can go up the pagoda for free, and at the top you’ll find three large golden Buddha statues, as well as a beautiful view.
The Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Unfortunately, when we visited Kek Lok Si in June 2025, the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas was under restoration meaning we did not see it at it’s full beauty. We managed to go up to the fifth level out of a possible seven, and the views were still amazing. Despite it being under construction when we went, we were glad we went up. The Buddhas had been removed, but the views were stunning.
This section costs 2 MYR per person to enter, though we were asked for another donation before going up the pagoda. This is not a requirement, so don’t feel pressured to do so unless you want to.
Outside of the Pagoda is a gorgeous little garden filled with flowers and a platform with stunning views over Penang.
The Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Statue
The Kuan Yin statue is probably the most impressive part of Kek Lok Si Temple. It sits on the top level, and measures 36.5m tall, towering over the surrounding landscape. You can actually see it from the top of Penang Hill.
The statue is made from bronze and housed inside a Chinese-style shelter. Even the shelter itself is stunning, with paintings around the roof and intricate carvings in each of the pillars. It is so impressive to see up close. There is also another small temple at the top, with a lovely little pond outside.
To get up to the Kuan Yin statue, you can either choose to walk or take the funicular. The walk isn’t long, but it is very steep. We would recommend getting the funicular up and back for ease, and it’s also kinda fun. If you choose to walk, you’ll pay just 3 MYR to visit, whereas the funicular will set you back 8 MYR each way.
Suggested Walking Route
Kek Lok Si Temple is a bit of a maze in the best possible way. The best way to explore is simply to wander, get lost, and see what you find. However, if you want our recommend route to follow, this is how we recommend after visiting twice:
- Start by admiring the koi carp pond and seeing hundreds of turtles. There are a few little shelters and bridges around the ponds to explore too.
- Next, head up to the Main Prayer Hall and spend some time taking in just how intricate and beautiful it is.
- Stop by the Central Courtyard for some photos before heading up to the three-tiered pagoda.
- Head back down to the Great Hall before paying the entrance fee and heading to the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
- Go back to the Great Hall before taking the funicular up to see the Kuan Yin Statue.
What To Wear To Kek Lok Si Temple
The dress code at Kek Lok Si Temple is not particularly strict, though we think it is very important to be respectful. Ideally, you should be covering knees and shoulders (both men and women), though you won’t be turned away if you’re not.
You should avoid wearing anything that could be considered disrespectful, such as hot pants, crop tops, or bandeau tops. They were absolutely fine with Nat wearing knee-length shorts, and me wearing a thick-strapped tank top with a midi skirt, however.
When you enter the prayer halls, make sure to remove your shoes. For this reason, make sure you wear something you can slide on and off easily.
What To Do Nearby
Kek Lok Si Temple is located around 30 minutes outside of George Town, but there are a few other things nearby we recommend doing too.
Air Itam Village
Air Itam is the local village that Kek Lok Si is located in. It is certainly not a tourist destination, but that is why we love it. Air Itam is home to a huge vibrant market, where you can buy everything you could imagine. The market is most vibrant early in the morning and you’ll often find locals on the early bus from George Town to Air Itam just to visit this market.
We highly recommend taking some time to explore the market before heading to Kek Lok Si Temple. It’s an amazing way to immerse yourself in the local life and culture. Alternatively, head to the covered food market for a bite to eat after the temple. The street food in Malaysia is fantastic!
Penang Hill
The best thing to do on the same day as Kek Lok Si is Penang Hill. Located just a 15 minute walk, or short bus journey, away from Kek Lok Si, Penang Hill is one of our favourite things to do in Penang.
Take the funicular to the top for incredible views over Penang and mainland Malaysia beyond. You can also see the resident dusky leaf monkeys which are so adorable. We highly recommend paying a little extra to go see the Habitat, where you can walk on sky bridges and see a huge range of wildlife and tropical rainforest. We even saw a flying lemur here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few questions about visiting Kek Lok Si Temple? We’ve answered the most common questions below.
Is Kek Lok Si Worth Visiting?
We loved visiting Kek Lok Si Temple! It is so fun to explore all the different levels and it is unlike any other temple we’ve been to. With brightly painted pagodas and thousands of Buddha statues, it is incredibly impressive. We think it is definitely worth visitng.
How Long Should I Spend In Penang?
We recommend spending 3 days in Penang. This gives you enough time to check off all the main sites such as George Town, Penang Hill, and Penang National Park.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Kek Lok Si Temple?
I don’t think there’s a bad time to be honest! We visited once first thing in the morning, and once around 1pm, and both times we were two of the only people there. If possible, try to avoid the midday sun, and bring a water bottle, though there are plenty of places to buy extra water and snacks when you’re there.
Wrap Up
We think Kek Lok Si is one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Malaysia. With seven stories to explore, and over 10,000 Buddha statues, it really is a spectacle to behold. If that doesn’t impress you, the 36.5m tall Kuan Yin statue, perched high in the Penang hills, surely will.
If there is one temple that you visit in Malaysia, make sure it’s Kek Lok Si.
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