Fodor's Expert Review Kek Lok Si Temple

Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple, Kek Lok Si ("Temple of Supreme Bliss") was founded in 1890 by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist. A maze of souvenir stalls leads to Ban Po Thar, a seven-tier tower that displays a Chinese base, a middle tier with Thai architecture, and a Burmese crown on top. On the hillside, above the pagoda, a huge bronze figure of Kuan Yin ("Goddess of Mercy") was completed in 2002. The temple faces the sea, and the view from the cable car and the upper levels is fantastic. During Chinese holidays, particularly Chinese New Year, the temple is a hive of activity and celebration.