29/06/2025
Kek Lok Si: The Biggest Temple in Malaysia
Have you ever seen a temple that looks like a whole city? During my trip to Malaysia, I visited Kek Lok Si, the biggest Buddhist temple in the country. I was lucky to go there with Mr. Nasir Iqbal, CEO of Fabulous Travel, who showed me around and made the visit special.
Kek Lok Si is in Ayer Itam, George Town, Penang, on a hill called Crane Mountain, near Penang Hill. It was built in 1890 by a monk named Beow Lean. The temple was made with help from Chinese businessmen. It also got support from the Chinese emperor and the Thai king.
This temple is special because it mixes different styles — Chinese, Thai, and Burmese. Its main building, the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, has a Chinese base, Thai middle, and Burmese top. The whole area is huge, with prayer halls, gardens, fish ponds, and statues of Buddha. There are even elevators to help visitors go up the hill.
People from many countries visit the temple, especially during Chinese New Year, when thousands of lanterns light up the area. Monks and nuns live and pray there. Even though a fire in 2021 damaged part of the temple, it is still open and active today.
Kek Lok Si is not just a temple. It is a place of peace, prayer, and beauty — where cultures and beliefs come together.
