Eat, Pray, Shop: Malaysia - Kek Lok Si Temple

After our tour of Pinang Peranakan Mansion, we went back to Hutton Lodge to check out. Since our departure is not until 10:30 pm, we left our bags in their office (free of charge) and spent the rest of our time exploring Penang. 

We took Bus 204 which goes to both Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple. The bus will drop you off at the foot of the hill. There's a small alley (in between rows of shops) you'll have to pass through to get to the top. This alley is lined with several vendors (somewhat similar to Mines View in Baguio) so you can squeeze a bit of shopping after visiting the temple. You'll also pass by a turtle pond which they call 'Liberation Pond'. 

Pasensiya, walang wide-angle lens bilang point and shoot lang ang gamit ko dito. :p

Our third and final stop for the day before heading to Malacca was Kek Lok Si Temple. I can't remember when and how my interest with temples and other places of worship began. I guess I'm just fascinated with the architecture and history, so I make it a point to always include at least one temple/place of worship on my trips. :)

Kek Lok Si is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. It has a 7-storey handcrafted "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas' that was completed in 1930 and a 30.2 meter bronze statue of Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) completed in 2002. It is also festively decorated with 200,000 lights and lanterns every Chinese New Year.

Anyway, enough of the talking writing. Just check out the pictures below. :p

If you look closely, there are tiny Buddhas inside.

View of the suburb of Air Itam (foreground) and Georgetown (background)

When you reach this temple, you can either go left (to take the inclined lift to the Statue of Kuan Yin) or right (to the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas)

We went inside the souvenir shop and paid RM4.00 for the inclined lift to get to the Statue of Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy). 

Statue of Kuan Yin

There's also another prayer hall and park within the grounds with some cute marble animal carvings.

Look at 'em cute dogs!

Some animal carvings of the Chinese Zodiac

It was almost 6:00 pm (closing time) so we didn't get the chance to see the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. I just admired it from afar.

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And I just had to include this: :p

Suffering from a broken heart? No worries. You will be given priority seat in Penang. LOL

K

Next post: Melaka series