Kek Lok Tong Temple & Zen Gardens: Stunning Limestone Ipoh Cave Temple (2020)

It’s no wonder that Kek Lok Tong translates to Cave of Great Happiness! Visitors who step into the temple will immediately know why!

Kek Lok Tong cave temple in Gunung Rapat, is one of many Ipoh cave temples that you can see on your Ipoh trip!

Read more on what makes Kek Lok Tong an exceptional cave temple in this post!

Table of contents:

• Kek Lok Tong Temple History
• Opening Hours
• Kek Lok Tong Entrance Fee
• What To Do In Kek Lok Tong
• Review For Kek Lok Tong 
• Getting To Kek Lok Tong 
• Frequently Asked Questions

Kek Lok Tong Temple History

The beauty of Kek Lok Tong cave temple makes something of a tourist attraction is this quieter side of Ipoh.

In fact, Gunung Rapat has more than a few cave temples along its limestone outcrops!

Kek Lok Tong is one of the larger temples with a site size roughly 12 acres!

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. 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!

Kek Lok Tong Temple 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 but is not that easy to find so keep that in mind!

Kek Lok Tong Entrance Fee

Visitors can enter Kek Lok 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.

What To Do In Kek Lok Tong

Like the rest of its counterparts in Ipoh, there’s not too much to do at Kek Lok Tong!

But you may find yourself staying longer because the cave is much cooler than the outside!

1. Admire Exquisite Cave Formations

The spacious cavern has large openings at either end which lets in enough natural light and ventilation to explore the cave without the use of a flashlight or headgear!

There are many stalactites that you can get close to with the use of stairs!

Ambient lighting in the main chamber brings out many cave features:

• Curtains
• Dams
• Columns
• Flowstones

2. Relax

Sit on one of the benches around the cave and just take a minute to appreciate the serenity and pleasant breeze that passes through the cave!

Read more: 27 Best Things To Do In Ipoh

3. Spot A Bat

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!

4. Go Jogging In the Zen Gardens

Join the locals for their morning exercise! The jogging path in the garden behind Kek Lok Tong circles two lakes with views of the surrounding limestone cliffs!

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

5. Feed Fish And See Turtles And Geese

In the Zen Gardens is a large attractive lake with geese and fish! There are other lakes around – these are evidence of the property’s former status as a mining site!

And there is a small pond with turtles by the car park and statue of the goddess, Kuan Yin.

Read more: 13 Things To Do In Ipoh At Night

Review For Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple

What You’ll Like:

• Very cooling in the cave
• Good facilities available – toilets, ample car park slots, lift, wheelchair ramp, etc
• Stunning cave formations
• You will not to climb as much as for Gua Tempurung
• Garden is tidy and a pleasant walk in the early morning
• Close to other Ipoh cave temples

What You Will Not Like:

• The quarry that can be seen in the distance
• Not easy to get a Grab or taxi to take you back unless you make prior arrangements from town.

Tips For Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple

• Garden is best enjoyed in the early morning
• Insect repellent is a good idea to prevent mosquito bites
• Cave floor is slippery after rain
• Watch your step inside the multi-level cave
• Allow 30 minute to an hour’s time here
• Keep a close eye on your belongings. Monkeys will take every opportunity to search your bag!

Read more: Ipoh Travel Guide – What Makes Ipoh A Must-Visit City In Malaysia

Getting To Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple

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

Or the row of other notable temples in Gunung Rapat:

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

Rather, it is on the other side of Gunung Rapat (Mt. Rapat)! The way to the temple car park winds through a residential area.

You can include Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple as part of a private tour Ipoh trip itinerary!

Find out more by sending us a message on WhatsApp or Facebook!

Many visit Kek Lok Tong cave temple for the large and gorgeous cave that does not involve much climbing! And this cave is wheelchair-friendly.

There is no entrance fee and besides the cave, you can see the manicured gardens behind!

If you just have time to visit one cave temple in Ipoh, consider Kek Lok Tong!