Discover Malaysia

Penang Hill Base Station

Penang Hill is now a popular tourist destination in Penang due to its fresher climate. The top of the hill is accessible via the Penang Hill railway from its base station at Jalan Bukit Bendera, Air Itam, Penang. This funicular railway system is the only one of its kind in Malaysia, transporting over a million visitors to the peak of Penang Hill as of 2014.

Penang Hill

Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks on Penang Island, Malaysia. It covers several hills, with the highest point at Western Hill which is 833 meters above sea level. Other than Western Hill, there are several peaks in the region, such as Admiral Hill (Bukit Laksamana), Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill (Bukit Bendera), Haliburton's Hill and Government Hill. Flagstaff Hill is 735 meters above sea level, the most developed peak. The hill stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. Penang Hill is located in Air Itam, 6 kilometers away from George Town, Penang.

Koi Fish Pond Garden

The Koi Fish Pond Garden at Kek Lok Si Temple is dotted with stone sculptures of animals from the Chinese zodiac as well as many other auspicious animals like the tortoise. A koi fish pond sits in the middle of the garden. We can purchase some fish food from the souvenir store on the temple grounds to feed them. We can watch the koi swimming in the pond, admiring the impressive Bronze Statue of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Penang Island from higher ground.

Bronze Statue of Kuan Yin

The Bronze Statue of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy, is another popular highlight in Kek Lok Si Temple. It stands above the temple. It was completed in 2002 and its protective octagonal-shaped pavilion was completed in early 2010. The statue is made entirely of bronze and is over 120 feet high. The pavilion is constructed of 16 dragon pillars that are 200 feet high all covered by an exquisitely designed roof that perfectly compliments the grandness of this magnificent statue.

Laughing Buddha

The statue of Laughing Buddha, sitting in the center of the Hall of Heavenly Kings. Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. The Laughing Buddha emerged from Chinese folktales of the 10th century. He is a semi-historical Chinese monk who is venerated as a deity in Chinese Buddhism.

Hall of the Heavenly Kings

Ensconced in the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, Tian Wang Dian, is the imposing statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. Each of the Kings controls one of the four points of the compass and the center of the hall where they stand represents the center of the universe. Kuang Mu, the Giant of the North, holding a reptile in one hand and a pearl in the other. Tou Wen, the Guardian of the South, holding the Umbrella of Chaos. Chi Kuo, Guardian of the West, carrying a magic guitar. Chng Chang, Guardian of the East, drawing his sword.

Sacred Turtle Pond Garden

The grounds of the Kek Lok Si Temple are a beautiful and tranquil array of flowers. The grand trees giving shade to us who walk along the garden paths here. Many ponds that are said to be sacred here and one such pond that is a must-see when in the temple is the Sacred Turtle Pond which is believed to be a symbol of strength and long life. The turtles that were released here were done to symbolize liberation.

Pagoda of Rama VI

The Kek Lok Si Temple's main draw is the striking seven-storey Pagoda of Rama VI, Pagoda of 10000 Buddhas, completed in 1930. Boasting 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha, its design symbolises the harmony between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, marrying a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, topped by a Burmese crown. We can climb to the top of the pagoda via a steep flight of stairs and be rewarded with a great view of Penang.

Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is also an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and other countries in Southeast Asia.

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