Kek Look Tong Temple – See The Huge Cave And Back Gardens
For those who only plan to see one temple in Ipoh, you should put Kek Look Tong Temple as your top priority.
Why? What are the main highlights of this temple? And how does this temple differ from the rest?
Read this post so you’ll know what to expect. Especially if this is going to be your first visit here!
Interesting Facts
- Consists of 3 main chambers
- Has been a place of worship for over 100 years
- Became an iron ore mining site after WWII, and was open to the public again years later
- Houses both Buddhist and Taoist deities
- Temple grounds cover 12 acres
- The name translates to Cave Of Great Happiness
What You Should Know
The drive into Kek Look Tong Temple is confusing without a navigation app. The last leg of the route will take you deep into a residential area.
There is a long stretch of straight road right before the gate of the temple. The gate opens right at 8am and not a minute before regardless of how many cars are waiting outside. This is thanks to a very disciplined gatekeeper.
Past the gate, there is a huge visitor car park.
Compared to other cave temples in Ipoh, Kek Look Tong Temple has the most visitor facilities – multiple modern toilets, wheelchair ramps and benches.
They even have vending machines for drinks, and a small lift.
The gardens at the back of the temple have a jogging track, foot massage path, multiple rest points and ponds.
There are bicycles and paddle boats for rent from 9am onwards until 4pm (closed on Tuesdays).
Price:
| Type | No. of Pax | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat | 2 | RM12 | 30 minutes |
| Boat | 4 | RM20 | 30 minutes |
| Bicycle | 2 | RM6 | 30 minutes |
| Bicycle | 4 | RM10 | 30 minutes |
Note: This temple sees a lot of visitors on weekends.
As with other temples, there are no entrance fees, but donations are welcome.
What To See
The front grounds of the temple are attractive with many trees and gardens on both sides. The garden on the left is still in the works.
You can see the limestone cliffs up close, including a natural arch at the top. Some areas may be cordoned off due to dripping water from the big stalactites above.
Wide concrete stairs (with a ramp to the side) lead up to the temple. The entrance of which is plain but still grand because of its size.
2 stone guardians (we think they are new additions) are at either side of the stairs. The koi pond to the side of the entrance has a large Guanyin statue.
Once you enter, you’ll be in the main prayer hall. It is large with altars and statues spread out in the chamber. More stairs take you up higher and visitors get can close to better admire the natural formations of the cave.
At the end of the main prayer hall, is the exit and another set of stairs that will take you down into the gardens of the temple. An identical pair of guardians (same as the ones at the front) sit at this exit.
A line of statues follows the jogging path – these represent the 18 original (and eventually enlightened) followers of Buddha.
You can see turtles and fish in the pond. Along with geese and occasionally monkeys roaming the gardens.
The back gardens are just as well tended to as the ones in the front.
Conclusion
Kek Look Tong Temple does not have other temples for immediate neighbors, unlike Sam Poh Tong. But even so, there is plenty to see. Even if you have been here before.
We’ve been to this cave temple multiple times and still find it interesting. And it’s the only one with wheel-chair friendly facilities.
When it’s not a weekend, it feels really peaceful here.
