When we were in Penang, Malaysia, one place that kept coming up was Kek Lok Si Temple. It’s the largest Buddhist temple in the country, built up the hillside in Air Itam, just about 15 to 20 minutes from George Town by Grab. Unlike some temples that are just one hall you walk into and leave, this one is spread across different levels with gardens, prayer halls, a turtle pond, and the giant bronze Guanyin statue at the very top. There are also easy ways to get up if you don’t want to climb the whole way. Between the tram, vans, and golf carts, families can save energy and still enjoy the views.
For us, it ended up being surprisingly family-friendly. The kids loved exploring the different tiers like a maze and spotting all the Buddha statues as we walked down. We spent about two hours there which felt like the right amount of time before the heat kicked in. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a visit with your kids—what works, what doesn’t, and the things I wish I had known ahead of time.
Why Families Choose Kek Lok Si Temple
When we were in Penang, there were a lot of temples to choose from. Some are right in George Town, smaller, and easier to pop into if you only have a short window. But with kids, we knew we wanted something that felt bigger and more like an outing instead of just a quick stop. That’s why we chose Kek Lok Si Temple.
It’s the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, built into the hillside in Air Itam. From the moment you arrive you see how different it is from the compact temples in town. Instead of one hall, you’ve got multiple tiers, outdoor courtyards, ponds, gardens, and colorful halls that feel like they go on forever. For us adults, it gave us the chance to see impressive architecture and sweeping views. For the kids, it felt like a maze they could explore without us needing to drag them along.
What makes Kek Lok Si special for families:
- The Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas with seven levels to climb and thousands of tiny statues tucked into every wall.
- A giant bronze Guanyin statue at the very top that makes kids stop in their tracks when they look up.
- A turtle pond where little ones can watch and feed turtles before moving on.
- Outdoor courtyards and shady paths that give kids space to walk, run a little, and discover new corners without it feeling too strict.
Compared to the smaller temples in George Town, Kek Lok Si had more room, more variety, and more surprises. For our kids, that made all the difference.
Getting There From George Town
If you’re staying anywhere in George Town, here’s how to get to Kek Lok Si Temple in a way that keeps your sanity (and the kids calm).
Here are your main options:
- Grab / Taxi: We used Grab. From our place north of George Town it took about 15-20 minutes. Cost was reasonable, about RM12. You’ll be dropped off just outside the main gates where you can just walk in.. Super easy, clean, no transfers.
- Bus (Rapid Penang): If you want to save money: buses 203 or 204 run from Komtar (George Town’s main hub) to Air Itam. It takes about 30-50 minutes depending on traffic. The fare is cheap — around RM2-RM3. Once the bus drops you off in Air Itam, you’ll have a walk through market streets or uphill paths to the temple gates.
- Drive / Private car: If you’re driving, there are parking lots at the base of the temple complex. Parking usually costs around RM3 to RM5. Be ready for roads that wind up the hill and possibly some traffic, especially in the morning or late afternoon.
Transportation Inside the Temple
The first thing to know is that Kek Lok Si Temple is not one single building. It’s built into the hillside and spread across different levels, which means you’ll run into plenty of stairs, uphill paths, and winding walkways. With kids, this can sound overwhelming, but the good news is you don’t actually have to walk the whole thing.
Here’s what we experienced and what you should expect:
- Inclined lift (tram style): This is like a cable car that runs up the steep slope. It’s one of the easiest ways to get from the base toward the top.
- Vans and golf carts: At certain points you can hop on small shuttles or carts that move visitors up another stretch. These are especially handy with younger kids or if the heat is already setting in.
- Walking paths and staircases: Between levels you’ll still do some walking. Some paths are shaded, some are out in full sun, and there are plenty of steps.
For our family, the mix of rides actually kept the kids entertained. They liked switching from a van to a golf cart to the lift instead of being forced to trudge uphill the whole way. It broke up the journey and made the ride feel like part of the adventure.
Best route with kids
Take transport up to the very top, spend time exploring around the giant Guanyin statue, and then slowly work your way down. Walking downhill is easier on little legs, and you can stop at gardens, halls, and ponds at your own pace.
If you plan to use the transport, bring a little cash. The lift and pagoda both require small bills, and it’s easier not to rely on cards for these.
What Kids Will Like Most
One of the best surprises about Kek Lok Si Temple is that it’s not just “for adults.” Our kids actually enjoyed it, and I think yours would too. Each level feels different, which kept them curious the whole time. Instead of just walking into one hall and leaving, they got to move through outdoor spaces, courtyards, and hidden corners that felt like a maze.
Here’s what stood out most for our kids:
- The turtle pond near the lower tier. The kids loved stopping here, watching the turtles swim, and laughing at how many there were piled on top of each other. It gave us a natural break spot before moving on.
- Running down the tiers. Because the temple is built on the hillside, walking downhill felt fun instead of exhausting. The kids treated it like a game, racing from one level to the next and finding new things along the way.
- Spotting Buddha statues everywhere. The Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas was especially fun to point out because it’s literally filled with little statues. They turned it into a challenge to see who could find the most.
- Looking up at the bronze Guanyin statue. At the very top, the giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy completely wowed them. It’s so massive that even little kids notice how impressive it is.
- Colorful halls and zodiac animals. Some of the prayer halls had bright lanterns and animal statues tied to the Chinese zodiac. The kids liked finding “their” animal and comparing them.
For our family, what worked was letting them lead the way. Each tier had something new to notice, so they felt like they were discovering instead of just being dragged along. That sense of independence made a big difference.
Food, Snacks, and Breaks
If you’ve got kids, you already know that food breaks can make or break the day. Kek Lok Si Temple isn’t a spot where you’ll find restaurants tucked inside every corner, so it helps to plan ahead.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Inside the temple: At the lower tier there are a few small stalls selling drinks, packaged snacks, and some local bites. They’re fine for a quick refuel, but nothing you’d want to count on for a meal.
- Outside the temple: Just down the road there are plenty of hawker stalls and small restaurants. This is where you’ll find affordable, freshly cooked food if you want a proper meal after your visit.
- What we did: We packed our own snacks for the kids. Granola bars, fruit, and water worked best since we didn’t have to hunt down food mid-visit.
There are shaded benches scattered around the temple, especially near the gardens and walkways. These ended up being perfect for snack stops when the sun was getting strong and we needed to slow down.
Mom tip: Eat breakfast before you go and pack simple snacks to carry with you. Plan on having a proper meal at the hawker stalls once you’re done exploring. It keeps things easy, and you avoid the meltdown window when kids get hungry but there’s nothing quick inside the temple.
Dress Code and Shoes
One of the first questions I had before visiting Kek Lok Si Temple was what to wear. The truth is there isn’t a strict dress code being enforced at the entrance, and you’ll see plenty of tourists walking around in shorts and tank tops. That said, it is a religious site, and out of respect we kept it simple and covered up.
What worked best for us:
- Lightweight pants and covered shoulders. This made us feel respectful, but honestly it also doubled as sun protection which was just as important on that hillside.
- Slip-on shoes for the kids. You will need to remove shoes to enter the prayer halls, and having sneakers that lace up would have been a nightmare. Slip-ons saved us time and frustration.
- Socks. The floors inside the halls aren’t always spotless. One of our kids hated the idea of walking barefoot on them, so socks were the solution.
You don’t need to stress if you show up a little more casual than this, but I will say the locals appreciate it when visitors make the effort.
Mom tip: Pack a lightweight scarf or shawl in your bag. It’s easy to throw over your shoulders if needed, and it takes up almost no space.
Additional Things to Know
When you’re visiting Kek Lok Si Temple with kids, there are a handful of little details that can make or break the day. These aren’t glamorous things, but they’re the ones that matter when you’re traveling as a family.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms are mainly at the lower levels, and they were honestly the weakest part of the visit. Expect squat toilets, not much cleanliness, and a lot of people using them. Bring your own tissues, wipes, and hand sanitizer. If your kids aren’t used to squat toilets, I’d plan bathroom breaks before arriving.
Best Time to Visit
Go in the morning. The temple opens around 8:30, and this is when it’s cooler, quieter, and way more manageable with kids. By mid-morning the hillside gets hot, the paths are in direct sun, and the crowds start to build. We went early and it made everything smoother.
Cost
Most of the temple is free. The only costs you’ll run into are the inclined lift to get up the hill and the entry fee for the pagoda. Tickets for the lift are only a couple of ringgit each way, and the pagoda entry is also just a few ringgit. It is one of the more budget-friendly family activities you’ll find in Penang.
How Long to Spend
We spent about two hours in total. That gave us time to ride up, explore the top, and then work our way down slowly through the tiers with breaks. If you try to stretch it into a full half-day you might lose the kids’ interest, especially in the heat. Two hours is enough to see the highlights and keep everyone happy.
Safety and Cleanliness
We never felt unsafe. The paths and stairs are manageable, though you’ll want to keep an eye on little ones in a few steep or crowded spots. The prayer halls themselves felt clean and calm. The biggest cleanliness issue was the bathrooms, and inside some halls the floors weren’t spotless, which is why socks came in handy.
Mom tip: Pack tissues, wipes, and a lightweight scarf or shawl, and go early in the morning with water and snacks. Those little things will make the whole outing much smoother.
Quick Mom Recap:
- Take Grab from George Town (15–20 minutes).
- Ride the van + golf cart + tram up, then walk down.
- Skip the stroller, use a carrier.
- Bring water and snacks.
- Wear modest, light clothes and slip-on shoes.
- Go early to avoid the heat.
- Expect dirty bathrooms at the bottom.
- Plan for 1–2 hours total.
It’s not perfect, but it’s one of those travel days where you get culture for you and discovery for the kids, a win in my book.
Final Thoughts: Is Kek Lok Si Temple Worth It with Kids?
For us, yes.
It’s easy to reach from George Town, affordable, and big enough to feel like an adventure without taking up your entire day. Our kids enjoyed the exploring, the statues, and the chance to ride different kinds of transport to the top.
Would we go again? Probably not, it’s more of a “one and done” type of experience. But for families visiting Penang, it’s worth a spot on the list.
More on the Blog:
Our favorite coffee shops to take your kids in Penang
