Historic site · Jalan Balik Pulau, Ayer Itam, George Town (Timur Laut district), Penang
A large Buddhist temple complex at Ayer Itam on Penang Island, built from 1891, with halls, pagodas and archways.
Kek Lok Si is a Buddhist temple complex at Ayer Itam on Penang Island. The temple's own website says it has been built since 1891 and describes it as "one of the largest and finest temples complexes in Southeast Asia", with images of Buddha and carvings, sculptures and murals across its halls, pagodas and archways. The temple says it blends Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals and remains a centre for Chinese culture and Buddhist teaching, so it is an active place of worship. The temple's site publishes no visiting hours or admission details. Dress and behave as you would at any place of worship.
The temple gives its address as Kek Lok Si Temple, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang. OpenStreetMap places the complex off Jalan Balik Pulau.
Getting here
Vehicle
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Road last checked 2026-09-27.
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Guided tour · skygate
Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple Tour
A half-day shared tour with a driver-guide from Penang Island hotels to Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill; admission and the funicular fare are not included. Options differ; check what your chosen option includes on SkyGate.
Guided tour · skygate
Penang Grand Island Full-Day Tour
A full-day shared tour with a driver-guide from Penang Island hotels to a batik factory, the Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill by funicular and a chocolate factory.
Mountain
A hill resort above George Town reached by the Penang Hill Railway funicular, with viewpoints over the city, rainforest and colonial-era buildings.
3 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Park
A rainforest park with trails, a tree-top viewing platform and a canopy bridge at the top of Penang Hill, five minutes' walk from the funicular.
3 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Place
An entertainment complex at the top of KOMTAR tower in George Town, with a rooftop glass skywalk, an observation deck and indoor attractions.
6 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Museum
A privately run museum of ghost and folklore displays at 57 Lebuh Melayu in George Town, listed by Penang's state tourism bureau.
7 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Ways to visit
Bookable experiences that include it.
A half-day shared tour with a driver-guide from Penang Island hotels to Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill; admission and the funicular fare are not included. Options differ; check what your chosen option includes on SkyGate.
A full-day shared tour with a driver-guide from Penang Island hotels to a batik factory, the Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill by funicular and a chocolate factory.