Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
4.5
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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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4.5
773 reviews
Excellent
357
Very good
347
Average
61
Poor
7
Terrible
1
May F
Loveland, CO1,739 contributions
May 2023 • Family
What a nice place to visit in Ipoh stopover. The cave is a Chinese temple and very well kept, clean and maintained. It opens up to a beautiful garden with lots of activities like boating, cycling. The cave have small elevator for disabled guests. Worth a visit.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ipohboymartin
Bedfordshire, UK15 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This is one of my favourite places to visit. The steps lead you up.imto the xave with a variety of deities around you. The stalactites and stalagmites are impressive. Walking through to the cave area is peaceful, and you emerge from the caves into the eell kept gardens. There are several places where you can sit in the shade and admire the surroundings. I have been coming here since 1999 and will continue to do so.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sangeetha R
7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We arrived and found a big notice saying closed for renovation works. Not sure when will open. Best to call the admin before going.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark T
Singapore, Singapore179 contributions
Jan 2023
The flight of 30 steps or so takes you up to a platform under a huge high cave. Another 50 meters down it opens into a nice garden with a lake. Regrettably the hills in the background are being exploited ofr clay. Nice place for all ages.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyhx
Singapore3,427 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
An interesting cave, and coming through it, leads one to a huge garden that has been somewhat commercialised, with tourist-family-friendly activities such as cycling and water-paddling.
It was a fairly easy walk, despite several flights of stairs, but because it's proper paved stone steps, it made it alot easier.
The ceiling where the actual natural cave is, is what's truly a sight here. Otherwise I felt the cave is generally too 'man-made' with a full cement flooring, bronze statues of various Buddhas, steel railings and even flood lights at various points. Felt as if the hole was intentionally cut thru to turn this into a tourist attraction, rather than a natural cave that was discovered and developed to ensure safe visiting. And despite all the man-made bits, I wished there was a board that provided more info on the cave such as the history, when it was discovered, what it was made of etc.
Without these, it was just like a huge park for a nice morning walk, to breath in some fresh air.
It was a fairly easy walk, despite several flights of stairs, but because it's proper paved stone steps, it made it alot easier.
The ceiling where the actual natural cave is, is what's truly a sight here. Otherwise I felt the cave is generally too 'man-made' with a full cement flooring, bronze statues of various Buddhas, steel railings and even flood lights at various points. Felt as if the hole was intentionally cut thru to turn this into a tourist attraction, rather than a natural cave that was discovered and developed to ensure safe visiting. And despite all the man-made bits, I wished there was a board that provided more info on the cave such as the history, when it was discovered, what it was made of etc.
Without these, it was just like a huge park for a nice morning walk, to breath in some fresh air.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy Ong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia725 contributions
Dec 2022
This stopver was not in our plan. Since it's too early to check-in to our hotel, we decided to spend our time here. It's amazing how to made a cave into a chinese temple. Really amazing architecture. What surprised me is that there is also malay (lots of them) visiting the chinese temple.
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chua eddy
6 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Very nice & interesting temple, we can't see this in s'pore espicially the cave. But you need transport to visit there.
Written 7 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
4 contributions
Aug 2022
Great place to visit - the cave temple is beautiful and we enjoyed sitting in the cool space and also the garden
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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
Singapore196 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, Malaysia24 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, France264 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 30 Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- Private Tour: Ipoh Secrets Full Day Heritage Tour (From S$154.67)
- Ipoh Perak Caves Temple Gardens and Castle Best Tour (From S$121.69)
- Ipoh Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur per Group (PRIVATE SHUTTLE) (From S$243.38)
- Ipoh Heritage, Caves And Cave Temple Tour (From S$140.62)
- Ipoh Day-Trip from Kuala Lumpur (From S$144.67)
- Hotels near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.08 km) Ipoh Homestay Gunung Rapat
- (0.69 km) Awanastay Ipoh
- (4.46 km) Bedrock Hotel, Ipoh
- (7.25 km) The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
- (3.31 km) Travelodge Ipoh
- Restaurants near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.23 km) 362 Gunung Rapat Heong Peah
- (0.56 km) Black Canyon Coffee Restaurant
- (0.55 km) Salmah Kopitiam
- (0.73 km) Sun Yeong Wai
- (0.62 km) Da San Yuan Haixian Canguan
- Attractions near Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens:
- (0.59 km) Go Chin Pomelo Nature Park
- (5.27 km) Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo
- (6.96 km) Jaies Chauffeur Service and Tour Assistant
- (5.28 km) Ho Yan Hor Museum
- (1.42 km) Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple