Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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771 reviews
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LRMcK
Cairns, Australia1,819 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Best to go see this on a weekday morning so it is not so crowded. Beautiful cave with Buddhist statues that you walk right through to a beautiful pond and well kept gardens. Not many stairs. Can rent a paddle boat 12 r for two people for 30 minutes. Bit of fun, but can't go far before you have to turn around. Allow an hour for total visit. Shame about the huge concrete factory behind that has taken away half the mountain and spoiled the view.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ELAYTEE
London, UK132 contributions
May 2022 • Family
First visit was 8yrs ago and it was much better than today, but still a nice trip for an hour or so.
My main disappointment is that there is now a factory of some sort in the garden and some of the mountains that previously enveloped the garden are now gone, it is such an eyesore and a real shame. Looking at other reviews it seems like some point in 2020 they cleared some of the mountains for that favctory/mine.
Overall, we went in Raya week which was probably a mistake as it was absolutely rammed and not that peaceful. I also noticed that in the past, they had lots of donated ornaments and vases all around the cave that were interesting to look at which have now been removed.
There is some parking inside and near the cave and the surrounding areas. Toilets and vending machines are available on site.
The cave itself is very large with ponds, fountains lighting and different levels to take in the views of both the statues or natural formations and is still definitely worth seeing.
The garden is to the rear of the cave and has great views of the (remaining) cliffs including a walking path for your sore feet and a few seating areas to take in the views.
If you go at a quieter time it is perhaps a lot more tranquil and calming, but even if slightly busy it is worth a visit.
My main disappointment is that there is now a factory of some sort in the garden and some of the mountains that previously enveloped the garden are now gone, it is such an eyesore and a real shame. Looking at other reviews it seems like some point in 2020 they cleared some of the mountains for that favctory/mine.
Overall, we went in Raya week which was probably a mistake as it was absolutely rammed and not that peaceful. I also noticed that in the past, they had lots of donated ornaments and vases all around the cave that were interesting to look at which have now been removed.
There is some parking inside and near the cave and the surrounding areas. Toilets and vending machines are available on site.
The cave itself is very large with ponds, fountains lighting and different levels to take in the views of both the statues or natural formations and is still definitely worth seeing.
The garden is to the rear of the cave and has great views of the (remaining) cliffs including a walking path for your sore feet and a few seating areas to take in the views.
If you go at a quieter time it is perhaps a lot more tranquil and calming, but even if slightly busy it is worth a visit.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travellator
54 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Visitors can enter Kek Lok Tong cave temple for free. But there's a donation box where visitors can give voluntary offerings. The donations go towards the maintenance the temple.
Opening hours is 7am to 5:30pm. A good time to visit would be during the early hours of the morning when it's cooler.
Unless you plan on driving (ample parking space on the temple grounds), the other alternative getting there is by taxi or Grab car. No bus.
Once you enter the cave you will be stunned by the exquisite cave formations and marvel at the enormous size of the cavern.
The cave is well lit and ventilated with natural light and breeze coming in from the large openings on both ends of the cave. There's also ambient lighting in the main chamber to bring out the beauty of the cave formations.
Being a Buddhist Temple, obviously you will also get to see many idol statues strategically placed within the cavern.
Another highlight for us is the Zen Garden at the back of the cave, which is apparently very popular with the locals for their morning exercise. We visited Kek Lok Tong in the late afternoon and met a very friendly local who told us he jogs there every evening! We were told that there's a jogging path in the garden.
And sure enough, we saw the jogging path that circles two lakes. What we weren't prepared for were the stunning views of the lakes with surrounding limestone cliffs as a backdrop!
We really enjoyed the peace and tranquility walking in the garden. Not sure if it's always this peaceful and tranquil or it's because it was near closing time when we got there.
Wouldn't mind dropping by to do the garden walk if we happen to be in Ipoh again.
Opening hours is 7am to 5:30pm. A good time to visit would be during the early hours of the morning when it's cooler.
Unless you plan on driving (ample parking space on the temple grounds), the other alternative getting there is by taxi or Grab car. No bus.
Once you enter the cave you will be stunned by the exquisite cave formations and marvel at the enormous size of the cavern.
The cave is well lit and ventilated with natural light and breeze coming in from the large openings on both ends of the cave. There's also ambient lighting in the main chamber to bring out the beauty of the cave formations.
Being a Buddhist Temple, obviously you will also get to see many idol statues strategically placed within the cavern.
Another highlight for us is the Zen Garden at the back of the cave, which is apparently very popular with the locals for their morning exercise. We visited Kek Lok Tong in the late afternoon and met a very friendly local who told us he jogs there every evening! We were told that there's a jogging path in the garden.
And sure enough, we saw the jogging path that circles two lakes. What we weren't prepared for were the stunning views of the lakes with surrounding limestone cliffs as a backdrop!
We really enjoyed the peace and tranquility walking in the garden. Not sure if it's always this peaceful and tranquil or it's because it was near closing time when we got there.
Wouldn't mind dropping by to do the garden walk if we happen to be in Ipoh again.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chow E
Singapore, Singapore211 contributions
Jun 2022
Was very surprised to find a temple located inside the cave. It was quite cooling once you walked inside the cave. There were quite many buddhist statues there and people walked to the end to find a opening where you can look down to see beautiful limestone scenary , plants, flowers. There were also many people around sitting down to enjoy the scenary too.
Written June 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sally Thoe Downs
Albuquerque, NM5,140 contributions
Mar 2020
We wanted our visiting friends from America to see the magnificient Chinese cave temples in Ipoh and selected four only which three turned out to be impressive. Kek Lok Tong is of them and it translates to Cave of Great Happiness and is in Gunung Rapat! Visitors who step into the temple will immediately know why.
As ancient Chinese legends/myths often portray immortals and deities living in mountains, hills or caves, it should not come as a surprise that this natural cave has been a place of worship. While it was a place of worship from 1920, there was a time back in the 1960’s when the cave was excavated for iron. After a decade, the iron mining stopped and worship at the temple resumed. To make it easier for people to visit the cave, the original cave floor was made flat and paved. There are even benches, ambient lighting and staircases! Only the roof and cave walls are left untouched.
We spend a good time about an hour checking out nature’s wonder right inside the cave. There are also crystal formations from the stalagtites and stalagmites and the temple committee have done a great job on the lightings to enhance the beautiful cavern formations.
As ancient Chinese legends/myths often portray immortals and deities living in mountains, hills or caves, it should not come as a surprise that this natural cave has been a place of worship. While it was a place of worship from 1920, there was a time back in the 1960’s when the cave was excavated for iron. After a decade, the iron mining stopped and worship at the temple resumed. To make it easier for people to visit the cave, the original cave floor was made flat and paved. There are even benches, ambient lighting and staircases! Only the roof and cave walls are left untouched.
We spend a good time about an hour checking out nature’s wonder right inside the cave. There are also crystal formations from the stalagtites and stalagmites and the temple committee have done a great job on the lightings to enhance the beautiful cavern formations.
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keng L
Homer Glen, IL1,362 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Well maintained Buddhist cave temple with garden in the back. Spatious car park and toilet facility. Not crowded but popular for locals doing morning walk. I come here once a year during my annual visit to Ipoh. Interesting statues and rock displays along the garden path. Recently they built a moat around the base of a limestone hill on one side of the garden. You can float down the moat. The tranquility and the scenary in the near distance of the garden is affected by the growing limestone gravel producing plant by the lake that adjoins the back of the garden.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK165,885 contributions
Feb 2020
Kek Lok Tong is one of many cave temples in Ipoh, I think virtually all located in the southeast of the city. This one is well to the south and the only way I could get there was using a taxi. So the temple is built into a limestone cave, complete with the usual stalactite formations. The place is well maintained with flooring and stairs, so it does feel very safe to wander around.
The cave seems to be a mixture of Buddhist and Chinese temple, although the latter is often mixed with the former so that I can never quite tell if it’s dedicated one or both. The cave and sub caves are filled with statues of gods, some of which I could recognise as Bodhisattva and one was definitely the Maitreya Bodhisattva. Many of the statues are actually label, but I was too lazy to do a google translate to find out what they were. The goddess of mercy is easy to spot standing just outside the entrance to the cave.
Other than being about to wander around the caves, I though the next best thing about the temple was gardens with a mini lake set amongst lush greenery, surrounded by hilly terrain equally rich with greenery.
Well worth a visit when in Ipoh.
The cave seems to be a mixture of Buddhist and Chinese temple, although the latter is often mixed with the former so that I can never quite tell if it’s dedicated one or both. The cave and sub caves are filled with statues of gods, some of which I could recognise as Bodhisattva and one was definitely the Maitreya Bodhisattva. Many of the statues are actually label, but I was too lazy to do a google translate to find out what they were. The goddess of mercy is easy to spot standing just outside the entrance to the cave.
Other than being about to wander around the caves, I though the next best thing about the temple was gardens with a mini lake set amongst lush greenery, surrounded by hilly terrain equally rich with greenery.
Well worth a visit when in Ipoh.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike M
Edinburgh, UK246 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great cave, sympathetically lit to show the rock formations and patterns. Statues are also blended into the natural spaces of the cave. The garden is a haven of tranquility. The best thing about this cancer for me is that human intervention seems to make it's even better. Well worth an hour or more.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
limtsiew
Ipoh, Malaysia6 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
A Mahayana Buddhist temple in a beautiful limestone cave. Well managed & well maintained. At side of entrance are toilets. A tall Kuan Yin statue standing in a pool full of beautiful colorful koi fish. A walk through d cave opens up to a nice zen garden and a paved path round d garden for walks & jogs. Benches for visitors to sit and look beyond to d garden to soak in d serene view. Entrance is free but it would b good of u to donate towards upkeep.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frans d
San Antonio, TX222 contributions
Jan 2020
Although Kek Look Tong is not an historical temple, it is a very nice place to visit. The cave is large and has many stalagtites and stalagmites. Beautiful display of spiritual statues. Park behind the cave is tranquile and well maintained.
No eateries or souvenir shops. Free entrance. Very quiet on a weekday..if not with your own transportation, you can use taxi or Grab to get there for around Rm 16 from Ipoh Parade Mall.
No eateries or souvenir shops. Free entrance. Very quiet on a weekday..if not with your own transportation, you can use taxi or Grab to get there for around Rm 16 from Ipoh Parade Mall.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
is this place still open during covid?
Natalie P
Bucharest, Romania261 contributions
I’m afraid I don’t know but I assume they will be open now but with social distance rules in place.
Terrorbull12
Sunshine Coast, QLD443 contributions
Just wondering how tough is the walking? Dicky knee :-)
spritches
singapore28 contributions
Other than the steps to get up to and down from the cave, the ground of the cave is smooth and even concrete floor. The path along the lake garden is even concrete too. It is not those nature trail.
AnzacTraveller
Singapore192 contributions
We are a party of 4 adults and 1 toddler. Is it easy to get a grab to come back to town?
spritches
singapore28 contributions
It's still within Ipoh, so no problem getting Grab from there. In fact, it's easy to get a Grab in Ipoh. And there's temple staff manning a counter/office near the entrance you can go to for assistance, if needed.
jeffchin
Selangor3 contributions
Hi, can wheelchair able to go in Temple?
NorthStar742949
Ipoh, Malaysia23 contributions
No but you can carry the person up the stairs and let them sit then you can carry the wheelchair and you can show them around.
Uwe H
Voerde, Germany270 contributions
Hallo,
wartet das Grab-Taxi oder wie habt ihr das mit hin und zurück gemacht?
Wie lange dauert der Ausflug, wie weit weg ist das vom Zentrum?
Danke.
dec1256
Lyon, France262 contributions
we took a grab to go there. It did not wait, but we found another grab very easily to go to another caves. Do not bother ask the driver to wait for you. We visited the place for something like 30 minutes
What activities can carry out if we are going in field trip for kids between age 6 to 12?thank for the reply
thevas2017
Ipoh, Malaysia11 contributions
There is a big parking lot where bus & cars are parked and it is sandy definitely you cannot carry out your activities there so there is no choice for you other then to have your activities at the zen gardens and it also depends the type of activity as it should be a very simple one for e.g, have them seated in a circle put a handkerchief behind anyone of them and run around and maybe like 10 children standing in a row passing a balloon filled with water backwards from the front child to the 10th child at the back something like that it is my opinion only.you can think of something when you are there yourself
Can the tour bus direct drive in or need to walk in?
ChangBoris
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,417 contributions
The roads are wide enough for a Tour bus to drive in and the car park is pretty large.
ling900201
Ipoh, Malaysia3 contributions
How much is the entrance fees for zen gardens?
Weelee66
Singapore76 contributions
The entry is free, you can buy some fish food to feed the carp. I believe the local businesses and community upkeep the temple through their patronage. You may make offerings and it is strictly voluntary.
Coolbreeze88
Singapore80 contributions
Many Bats in cave? Need bring torch lights?
WongHF
Kuching, Malaysia49 contributions
The answer is no to both questions. The temple is bright and has natural openings both at the front and back of the cave providing enough natural light. In the darker area, there are lamps to provide lighting. I don't see any bats in the cave and there is no sign or smell of guano.
Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens (Ipoh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
- We recommend booking Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 26 Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- Private Tour: Ipoh Secrets Full Day Heritage Tour (From $115.48)
- Ipoh City Tour (From $80.00)
- Ipoh Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur per Group (PRIVATE SHUTTLE) (From $180.00)
- Ipoh Heritage, Caves And Cave Temple Tour (From $104.00)
- Ipoh Day-Trip from Kuala Lumpur (From $107.00)
- Hotels near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.05 mi) Ipoh Homestay Gunung Rapat
- (0.43 mi) Awanastay Ipoh
- (2.78 mi) Bedrock Hotel, Ipoh
- (4.53 mi) The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
- (2.07 mi) Travelodge Ipoh
- Restaurants near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.14 mi) 362 Gunung Rapat Heong Peah
- (0.35 mi) Black Canyon Coffee Restaurant
- (0.35 mi) Salmah Kopitiam
- (0.46 mi) Sun Yeong Wai
- (0.39 mi) Da San Yuan Haixian Canguan
- Attractions near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.37 mi) Go Chin Pomelo Nature Park
- (3.29 mi) Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo
- (0.89 mi) Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
- (3.30 mi) Ho Yan Hor Museum
- (4.35 mi) Jaies Chauffeur Service and Tour Assistant