Kek Lok Si’s Pagoda (Ban Pho Tar)

The Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, or "Ban Pho Tar," is the magnificent and iconic centerpiece of the Kek Lok Si Temple complex. This towering, seven-tiered pagoda is one of the most famous landmarks in Penang and is a remarkable architectural masterpiece. Its design is unique, reflecting the temple's multicultural influences: the octagonal base is distinctively Chinese, the middle tiers are of a Thai design, and the crown-like stupa at the very top is Burmese in style. This beautiful fusion of styles symbolizes the harmony of the different branches of Buddhism.

Visitors can climb the narrow, winding staircases to the top of the pagoda, and from each level, there are balconies that offer increasingly spectacular panoramic views of the entire temple complex, the town of Air Itam, and a large part of Penang Island.