Pg04 Kek Lok Si Temple complex, 2004

Kek Lok Si is a vast Buddhist temple complex on Crane Hill on the outskirts of Air Itam village. Considered the jewel in the crown of heritage temples in Malaysia, it is one of the largest & most beautiful Buddhist temple complexes in SE Asia. The millions of Buddha images, hundreds of beautiful carvings, sculptures & murals in the interior & exterior of the temple halls, pagodas & archways are exquisite Buddhist heritage treasures.

The monastery & temple were established in 1891, six years after the resident ... (more)

Kuan Yin statue & Pagoda
on Crane Hill on the outskirts of Air Itam village, can be seen from a distance.

Turtle liberation pond
near the entrance. Apparently, Buddhists buy turtles from the markets then...

Hill gateway
leading to the temple's upper level parking lot.

Hall of Bodhisattvas (HB)
tour station 2. The first building to be completed in the complex (1891).

HB 2

View of some Crane Hill residences
from the railing (HB)

The Buddhist Divine Race logo
is quite visible in the complex. I later discovered it is NOT a...

Porcelain & Buddhas

Murals depicting Kuan Yin
in various poses.

Grand statue of Kuan Yin in HB

Incense burner, hill view

The ever-popular 'bamboo' window
in Chinese temples, this one square.

Lotus pond pagoda
in the Garden pavillion (GP) - tour station 3.

Lord Buddha teaching Dhamma
to the Bhikkus (Buddhist monks).

Amitabha Buddha pagoda (AB)
tour station 4.

Welcoming the Buddha (AB)
They circled the huge lord Buddha statue on the top tier of the...

View from the Wisdom Doorway (AB)

another Wisdom Doorway? (AB)

Hall of Devas (HD)
tour station 5, with drum tower on the left & bell tower on the right.

Intricately carved dragon pillars (HD)

Two of the 4 heavenly kings (HD)

The other two.

Hall of Buddhas of Five Regions (FR)
from below, in background (Tour station 8), & Garden Pavilion in...

Stone sculptures
depicting Dhamma Assemblies, FR), tour station 8.

another one

A carved stone dragon pillar (FR)

another one

Intricate designs on the ceiling
and walls with themes featuring ancient Chinese Buddhist art & music (FR).

One of the Grand 5 Buddhas (FR)
lined up in the hall.

a gathering or prayer place?
there are many Buddha niches here too.

another round bamboo window

The Pagoda of a Million Buddhas (PMB)
(tour station 9) the most impressive structure here & the most famous...

Grand statue of Lord Buddha (PMB)
with the Maitreya Buuda in front.

A peek at Kuan Yin bronze statue
on the way up to the upper level (UL). To get there there is a new...

Majestic bronze statue of Kuan Yin
(the Goddess of Mercy), full view. She is a popular deity in Penang....

A new prayer hall on the upper level?

One of the two Guardians (UL)

The other one.

Beautiful bougainvilleas
are everywhere..

View from the rail

Panoramic view from up there (UL).

article published 04/26/2004

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I LIVED ON PENANG ISLAND FROM 1959-1962 PAID MANY VISITS TO THE TEMPLE AND PAGODA IT WAS A LOT SMALLER COMPLEX IN THOSE DAYS AND VERY EASY TO GET AROUND RETURNED IN 2000 WHICH WAS A BIT O A CULTURE SHOCK. I HOPE PENANG LOOKS AFTER ITS HERITAGE AS A LOT OF THE OLD BUILDINGS SEEMED TO BE MAKING WAY FOR HIGH RISE.WILL SHARE MY MEMORIES WITH ANYONE FROM 1959-1962 I LIVED AT No 19 TANJONG BUNGAH PARK.
— Dennis Allnutt, February 20, 2006

Care to look at my version at a recent visit. Kindly comment. Your version complete some area I missed out.
— E J Ng, November 8, 2005

Kenny.....
there is no admission charge... isn't that amazing? ;o)
— Lorraine Brecht, May 19, 2004

Cool
Really breathtaking view of the temples and pagoda. Btw how much is the entrance fees to each station ? thank u.
— kenny, May 18, 2004

Thanks so much for the wonderful photos, very fascinating!!
— ellie robbe, April 30, 2004

thanks again great photos and heaps of info, well done!
— Angela, April 27, 2004

Another fine collection!
You certainly have not only a photographic eye, but an eye for historical and cultural details. Very well done indeed, Lorraine.
— Fred Perry, April 27, 2004

the completed Kek Lok Si collection
There u go.. another complete photo collection of the temple, and Penang. Good details and info, i just discovered something new from your article!
— Erina, April 27, 2004

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