After exploring the city, and finding as many of the lovely Mural Art in Ipoh as possible, my friend recommended another one of the Things To Do in Ipoh. He spoke about a very beautiful place called Kek Look Tong (極樂洞). Many tourists visit it, and even he, a local Malaysian, enjoyed going there every time he was in Ipoh.
It sounded so wondrous. Plus, he was driving. And it was not far from the city. So we made our way to Kek Look Tong (極樂洞). If you are planning to visit Malaysia, and Ipoh is one of the places you are considering, then you must read this blog post, and watch the video.
Kek Look Tong (極樂洞) in Ipoh – The Video
Visiting Kek Look Tong (極樂洞) was an awesome experience. The place was peaceful and serene. You really have to be there to know what I mean. Meanwhile, watch the video below for an idea of what to expect.
About Kek Look Tong (極樂洞)
Kek Look Tong (極樂洞) is a cave and temple that is a favorite with the locals and popular with the tourists. Locals go there to pray and enjoy the peace and serenity. Some tourists go there to soak in the sights. Some say a little prayer while they are at it. The name – Kek Look Tong (樂洞極) – means The Cave of Ultimate Bliss or Great Happiness
Kek Look Tong (樂洞極) is located in the south of Ipoh. It has been a place of worship since 1920s. In the 1960s, parts of the cave were excavated due to iron ore mining industry. Today, it is a place for refuge, and religious worship again.
Next to entrance, there is a charming small pond with a big statue of Kuan Yin, also known as the Goddess or Mercy.
Inside the cave, there is a central altar and a few smaller altars. On each altar, there are image of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and various Chinese deities. There is a central altar where Maitreya Buddha sits. Maitreya Buddha, also known as the Laughing Buddha is prophesied to be the next Buddha to appear in our world. Many looking forward to this.
Stalagmites and Stalactites inside the limestone caves are beautifully carved by nature into stunning natural artworks.
Sanctuary in Kek Look Tong (極樂洞)
As we explored the place, my friend kept smiling and shared that the best part of this place is yet to be seen. Further in, there is a unique feature that sets Kek Look Tong (樂洞極) apart from the other caves in Malaysia.
There is a beautiful award winning garden, surrounded by imposing hills.
It was truly breathtaking. So amazing that such a place exists in Ipoh. The garden was large, and as we walked further in, we discovered one of the longest foot reflexology path in Ipoh.
The challenge was to see if you can walk the entire path. We tried. After a few meters, we were crying out in pain. Haha
At the start of the garden, there was a lake. And as you walk deeper into the garden, you will find another lake. This is a lake filled with lotus plants.
Too bad it was not the season for lotus flowers. I am sure it would be a breathtaking sight, to see the entire lake filled with lotus flowers.
As you enjoy the garden, I advise to also look around and up. You will be impressed by the tall hills and the interesting designs by limestone.
Tip: There are mosquitoes eager for fresh blood! So do bring along any anti-mosquito balm or spray to keep them away.
Another Tip: Spot a cave and curious to explore it? Don’t!!! It is filled with mosquitoes. Like a spider luring its prey to its web, these caves are the mosquitoes’ bait.
Besides, mosquitoes, there are lots of wildlife there. There are birds, geese (that you see in the video), dogs, and even the excited garden lizard.
Where is Kek Look Tong (極樂洞)?
As mentioned above, Kek Look Tong (樂洞極) is south of Ipoh. It is not really far … when you drive, or when you hire a cab or Grab to take you there. The journey is about 20 to 25 minutes from the main city of Ipoh.
Operating Hours
7am to 6pm, Daily including Public Holidays
Entrance Fee
Free. Donations welcome. Donations help to upkeep the place.
Address
Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
How To Get There?
By Foot
Not advisable.
By Train
This is a small town. There are no train services. And there are no trains to this place.
By Bus
There are local buses, but information on their routes and stops are not well provided. Better to go by car, taxi or Grab.
By Car
If you drove to Ipoh, you are at an advantage. Traffic is not as heavy as cities such as Kuala Lumpur. Navigating around is easy, especially if you have Waze app. The journey is only about 20 to 25 minutes, one way. The car park at the site is free.
By Taxi
They rarely go by meter. If you choose to go by taxi, sometimes it may be better to book them for the afternoon or day. This way, you can be assured of getting a ride back to the city, as and when you like it.
Tip: Negotiate and agree on a price before you take the taxi.
By Grab
This is my preferred option. One reason is that there is no need to negotiate. Another is that the price is usually reasonable and affordable. No hassles.
It is so easy to travel around in cities now because of Grab. Just download the app, state your destination, a driver is assigned to you, take the transport, and you arrive at your destination. Comfortable and easy.
I have switched to Grab for my travels within a city ever since this option became available.
We have come to the end of this article. I hope you enjoyed reading this.
If you have ANY questions about this article, about Things To Do In Ipoh – Kek Look Tong (極樂洞), ANY at all, please submit your questions as comments below. I will be happy to help you out.
Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy travels.
Timotheus
Hey everyone, I am Timotheus. When I am not giving lectures, I love traveling and visiting cities and towns all over Asia. It is a thrill for me to find and share awesome places to see, great tasting food to eat, and restful rooms to get a good night’s sleep.