Kek Lok Tong Temple & Zen Gardens: Stunning Limestone Ipoh ...

It’s no wonder that Kek Look Tong translates to Cave of Great Happiness! Visitors who look upon, let alone step into the temple will immediately know why.

Many visit this temple for the large and gorgeous cave that does not involve much climbing! This place is wheelchair-friendly too. There are no entrance fees and besides the cave, you can walk through the manicured gardens behind the temple.

Read more on this location in this post!

Table of Contents

• History
• Opening Hours
• Entrance Fees
• What To Do And See Here
• Overview
• Getting Here
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

History

The undoubtable beauty of Kek Look Tong makes it a tourist attraction. Even in this quieter side of Ipoh called Gunung Rapat which has other cave temples along its limestone outcrops.

But this is one of the larger temples with a site size at roughly 12 acres!

And while it was initially 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. Today, there are even benches, ambient lighting, a small elevator, ramps, and staircases.

Only the roof and cave walls are left untouched. So, visitors can admire the natural rock formations of the cave.

At one end of the cave, there are many Taoist and Buddhist statues – these came all the way from Taiwan!

Opening Hours

To make the most of your time at this temple, try to go early in the morning before the heat of the day kicks in!

The temple opens early too.

• Opening Hours: 8am to 4:30pm
• Contact: +605-312 8112

PS: If you’re here for the boat rides and cycling, the rental booths don’t open until 8:30am

Entrance Fees

Visitors can enter Kek Look Tong cave temple for free.

But you can make voluntary offerings at the donation booth. Or buy fish food to feed the fish at the koi pond!

The donations go to maintaining the temple and for additional improvements – one of the newest additions is a small elevator.

What To Do And See Here

Unlike the rest of its counterparts in Ipoh, there are some activities to do here. And you may find yourself staying longer because of how serene the premises are.

Note: If you go on a weekday, you will be able to hear drilling from the nearby quarry.

1. Admire Exquisite Cave Formations

The spacious cavern has large openings at either end which lets in natural light (and ventilation).

Thus, you will not need the use of a flashlight or headgear to explore the cave. There are many stalactites that you can get close to using stairs!

Ambient lighting in the main chamber brings out many cave features like curtains, dams, columns and flowstones.

After climbing up the stairs to admire the natural rock formations, you can sit on one of the numerous stone or metal benches in around the cave and just take a minute to appreciate the serenity.

There is usually a pleasant breeze passing through the cave!

While you check out the different tiers of the cave, be sure to keep your eyes open for some bats flitting around the darker corners of the cave!

2. Feed Fish And See Turtles And Geese

From the top of the gardens (back entrance of Kek Look Tong), you can look down on the Zen Gardens.

Right in front is a large attractive lake with geese, turtles, and fish. Behind it is another lake with 2 pagodas. The lakes are evidence of the property’s history as a mining site!

There is also a small pond with large koi at the front of the temple and by the car park. As well as a sizeable statue of the goddess, Kuan Yin.

If you want to feed the fish, you can purchase fish food (RM3) at the counter inside the cave, close to the front entrance.

Note: There are signs all around to discourage people from releasing fish or turtles into the lakes. This custom is thought to bring luck to the doer of the deed, but overpopulation of the lake leads to suffocation of the animals.

3. Go Jogging In the Zen Gardens

Outside, join the locals for their morning exercise! The jogging path in the garden behind the temple circles two lakes with shade from mature trees and views of the surrounding limestone cliffs.

Note: One of these limestone hills is sadly, a victim of heavy quarrying.

And if you’re up to it, you can challenge yourself by going barefoot on the reflexology footpath!

4. Cycle On Land (Or Water)

Visitors can hire paddles boats or bicycles (they have tandem bikes too) in the vast gardens out the back entrance of the temple.

There is a separate track for the bicycles away from the main jogging path in the gardens. Renting a bike for 2 pax costs RM6 for 30 minutes.

The paddle boats require you to use your legs too. And the boat platform is walking distance from the bicycle rental shack. It costs RM12 for 2 pax for ~30 minutes.

Opening Hours: 9am-4pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

Bicycle & Boat Rental Pricing Table:

Number Of Pax	Boat (Price / 30 minutes)	Bicycle (Price / 30 minutes)
2 Pax	RM12	RM6
4 Pax	RM20	RM10

Overview

What You’ll Like:

• Cooling breeze and plentiful shade in the cave
• Many facilities available – toilets, ample car park slots, lift, benches, vending machines, wheelchair ramp, swings etc
• Stunning cave formations
• You will not need to climb as much as for Gua Tempurung to see the highlights of the cave structure
• Garden is tidy and is pleasant to walk around in the early morning
• Close to other cave temples
• Plenty of shaded parking
• Free entry
• Jogging path is well-maintained
• Boat and bicycle rentals are affordable
• Spacious grounds with a lot of greenery

What You Will Not Like:

• The quarry that can be seen in the distance (and heard on weekdays)
• Not easy to get a Grab or taxi to take you back unless you make prior arrangements from town.
• Elders and those with mobility issues cannot easily access the whole of the temple grounds

Tips For Visiting

• Garden is best enjoyed in the early morning
• Insect repellent is a good idea to prevent mosquito bites
• Use Waze or Google Maps to locate the temple!
• The cave floor is slippery after rain
• Bring a tripod for low light photos (if you’re planning to take photos of the cave formations)
• Watch your step inside the multi-level cave
• Allow an hour to visit this cave temple
• Keep a close eye on your belongings. Monkeys will take every opportunity to search your bag!

Getting Here

It’s about 15-20 minutes’ drive south from Ipoh town to Kek Look Tong. The temple is not in plain sight from the main road. Unlike Perak Cave temple.

Close by is a row of other notable but smaller temples in Gunung Rapat:

• Lin Sen Tong
• Nam Thean Tong
• Sam Poh Tong

Kek Look Tong is on the other side of Gunung Rapat (Mt. Rapat)! The way to the temple car park winds through a quiet residential area.

You can include this temple as part of a private tour in Ipoh if you don’t have your own car. Find out more by sending us a message on WhatsApp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When should you visit the temple?

A1: Early morning when the day is still cool. The gate is open at 8am sharp.

Q2: How long should you stay here?

A2: At least 1 hour. Or more if you really enjoy taking photos!

Q3: Is there wheelchair access at Kek Look Tong?

A3: A wheelchair ramp and lift are available at the temple. They have disabled toilets too. It is not difficult to push a baby stroller or wheelchair through the garden. But there are many stairs from the cave down to the gardens.

Q4: Are there refreshments at or close to the temple?

A4: There is a drinking water fountain and a vending machine with drinks at the temple site. There is also a small on-site cafe inside the main hall of the temple for Chinese tea.

Q5: Can you take a bus directly here?

A5: No.

Q6: Where can you park your car at Kek Look Tong?

A6: There is a car park close to the temple. Parking fees are not required.

Q7: Are there toilets?

A7: Yes. The toilets are close to the car park and free for public use. There are also toilets in the garden.

Conclusion

Kek Look Tong is near Gunung Rapat and is one of many beautiful cave temples that you can see in Ipoh! If you just have time to visit one of these, we highly suggest that you consider this one!

Tasik Cermin

If you’re looking for other places of natural beauty in Ipoh that are relatively wheel-chair friendly, we suggest Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake). The boat tours are insightful too.

Red Brick Kitchen

After your visit to Kek Look Tong, you might feel like dining in an air-conditioned space. Red Brick Kitchen is not too far away (less than 10 minutes’ drive) and it’s a scenic eatery (in a glasshouse) with delicious Western cuisine.

Share this post with your friends and family!22FacebookXMessengerWhatsAppShare22SHARES