| One of the finest Buddhist temples in South-east Asia, | | | | incline lift to the hilltop. The air-condition incline lift is more |
| Kek Lok Si temple stands majestically on a hill in Air | | | | like tram and it could bring you up with a cost of RM2 |
| Itam. Known as "The Temple of Supreme Bliss", it is | | | | each way. |
| built in tiers culminating the beautifully crafted ''Pagoda | | | | The 7-story pagoda or "Pagoda of 10,000 Buddha" is |
| of Ten Thousand Buddha's''. It took more than 20 | | | | another interesting attraction. This pagoda combines a |
| years to build and features gardens, a turtle pond, | | | | Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai |
| shrines and beautiful Buddhist sculptures. | | | | design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's |
| The temple consist of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell | | | | embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. |
| towers and just about every other typical temple | | | | It is located at the new prayer hall where you must |
| structure you can think of, in varying styles from | | | | pay a 'voluntary' donation of RM2. |
| Burmese to Chinese to Thai. | | | | At the Kek Lok Si Temple ground, there is a beautiful |
| It is known that The Kek Lok Si project was inspired | | | | gardens and sacred pond. One of the famous ones |
| by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple | | | | will be of course "The Liberation Pond" (Sacred Turtle |
| of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular | | | | Pond). Chinese tradition believes that a turtle is a |
| representative of China in Penang, the project | | | | symbol of longevity, strength and endurance. It is an |
| received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang | | | | act of spiritual liberation when a turtle is captured and |
| Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes | | | | set free in this pond. |
| of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras. | | | | There is no admission fee to the temple itself. Small |
| The main attractions that dominate the hill scenery will | | | | fees are needed if you want to visit the pagoda and |
| be the 7-storey pagoda and the huge bronze statue | | | | Kuan Yin statue. It is best that you wear comfortable |
| of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin -- a popular deity | | | | running shoes and bring a bottle of mineral water |
| in Penang. If you want to get a close-up look of the | | | | before visiting the temple. |
| Kuan Yin statue, walk to the furthest hall and take an | | | | |