https://ae.trip.com/moments/detail/ayer-itam-1453669-131063347
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🌊 Air Itam Dam: Penang’s Hidden Oasis Near Kek Lok Si 🌿

(Psst—it’s **Air Itam Dam**, not *damn* 😉—but we get the love!) Just a short drive from Kek Lok Si Temple, this serene reservoir is a Penangite favorite for nature escapes. Built in 1962, it’s more than a water source—it’s where lush hills hug calm waters, creating a postcard-perfect retreat. **Why Locals Adore It 💚** For Penangites, the dam is a quiet antidote to city chaos. Morning joggers pace the shaded trails 🏃♂️🌳, families picnic by the water, and shutterbugs snap the mirror-like reflections of rainforest-clad peaks. The air here is crisper, the vibe slower—a reminder of Penang’s untamed beauty. **Secret Spot Alert!** Head to the **viewing platform** for a panoramic glimpse of the dam framed by jungle. It’s Insta-gold at sunrise or sunset, when the sky paints the water in pinks and oranges. 🌅📸 **Connect the Dots 🔄** Pair your Kek Lok Si visit with a dam detour! After temple crowds, unwind here with a *kopi-O* from a roadside stall ☕, or grab *Air Itam laksa* nearby (spicy, tangy, legendary! 🍜). Pro tip: Weekdays = fewer people! **Penangite Truth** ❤️ The dam isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of our daily rhythm. We hike here to breathe, reflect, or simply *lepak* (chill) with friends. For us, it’s harmony: ancient temples and wild waters, side by side.
Posted: Apr 12, 2025
Nang Mai Ngin Si
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Kek Lok Si Temple

4.5/5454 reviews | Historic buildings
Ayer Itam
No.14 of Best Things to Do in Penang
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Kek Lok Si Temple

📍Address: Jln Balik Pulau, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang 🕰️bOpening hours: Daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm 🏖️Environment/Facilities: Hot weather, bring an umbrella or small fan, quite a lot of tourists. 💰Average price per person: Take the cable car up to 6 ringgit per person Ke Lok Si or Ke Lok Si (Chinese: 極樂寺; "Temple of Heaven"[1][2]) is a Buddhist temple located in Ayer Itam, Penang, Malaysia. It is the largest Buddhist temple in the country[3] and is an important religious destination for tourists from Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The temple was built between 1890 and 1930 under the leadership of Abbot Beow Lean. The temple's most important permanent object is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda of King Rama VI of Thailand, which is seven storeys high. And the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva made of bronze, 36.57 meters (120.0 feet) high. This temple combines elements and traditions of Mahayana, Theravada and local Chinese beliefs. #malaysiatrip #Kekokkila #GuanyinTemple #PenangMalaysia

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