Kek Lok Si annual CNY lighting ceremony
The Chinese New Year festivities always promise a whole lot of excitement, extravagant decorations, and meaningful reunions in all parts of the world – in Malaysia, this is no different. For Penangites in particular, the festivities will be as vibrant as ever. Every year, the iconic Kek Lok Si temple is light up with thousands of illuminated lanterns and neon lights.
If you couldn’t witness the spellbinding sight in person before, catch the light displays this year, from now till 23rd February 2025, and be entranced by Kek Lok Si’s illuminated beauty.
We recently visited the temple to bring you a glimpse of the beautiful sights you can see there at night, this festive season.
A massive temple of lights
Built more than a decade ago, Kek Lok Si is a grand sight to behold even among a bustling morning market on a usual day. But wait till you see the temple come alive in all its luminescent glory during the Chinese New Year.
Here at the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, an annual lighting ceremony and fireworks display takes place annually to ring in the Lunar New Year. This is a key cultural highlight in Penang during the bai nian celebrations.
To experience the dazzle of the vast complex in person and up close, you’ll have to head up to the temple grounds, which would require a bit of a hike in the heat and the dark. Driving up is an option, but the chances of securing a parking spot in these areas are close to zero.
Hence, we recommend you take the lift cars up with round-trip tickets that cost RM16 per person for adults and RM8 for children of ages 7 to 12.
The middle station spans 10 acres of land that houses monasteries, prayer halls, temples, magnificent statues, beautiful gardens and a fish pond – all of which emanate vibrant colours from neon lights and LEDs in celebration of the new year.
When you’re done exploring and snapping shots of every stunning corner, head up to the highest temple ground for more spectacular sights.
Revel at the “canopy” of luminous lanterns overhead, like red and gold lights floating across the black canvas of the night sky.
The star of the enchanting temple has got to be the 36.57m-tall bronze statue of Guanyin or Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Located at the highest peak of the temple, the 130-year-old monastery housing the statue is a divinely majestic sight that glows and gleams with celestial-like beauty.
You’ll spend some time covering every attraction within the vast grounds of Kek Lok Si temple. But you’ll be treated with a visual feast every step of the way – think ethereal lanterns criss-crossing above the roads, draping fairy lights that embellish trees, and bushes pulsing with bioluminescent lights. We thought it looked like something out of a fantasy tale or Mulan.
Celebrate CNY at Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si in Penang is open to the public, so pay a visit to this surreal and beautiful temple shining in all of its glory to usher in the Year of the Snake.
Address: 1000-L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Read more interesting features of places here:
- 10 unique Chinese temples in Malaysia
- Emperor Villa, hiking trail that leads to a traditional Chinese villa in Penang
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion, a house museum with antiques in Penang
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Jia-Ju.
This article was originally published on 20th January 2023, and updated on 4th February 2025.