Street Art in Penang, Malaysia
Tucked away on the northwest coast of Malaysia, Penang is the kind of place that gives you a warm embrace as soon as you arrive.
Penang boasts a mix of historical vibes and modern coolness, and it's not just for show. Besides its cultural roots and mouthwatering street eats like the famous char koay teow, the Pearl of the Orient is all about street art.
Picture this: from street poles to vibrant murals, the city is like a rad open-air art gallery, making it the go-to hub if you love checking out a bit of graffiti.
Here's your roadmap to uncover the best street art in Penang:
History of Penang Street Art
George Town Island's capital has always been a gem, boasting its cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and a feast of flavors. But rewind to pre-2012, and the walls of George Town were pretty much a blank canvas – not a graffiti hotspot.
Then, along came artist Ernest Zacharevic, summoned by the Penang Tourist Board to splash his mural magic on six walls around historically significant spots for the George Town Festival.
Guess what happened next? The local artists caught the inspiration bug, and suddenly, street art was all the rage.
Zoom into the present, and street art has spread like wildfire, turning the whole city into an open-air art gallery. It's a visual treat you'll find around every corner!
Navigating through the Penang Street Art
The experience of exploring Penang Wall Murals depends upon how you choose to navigate through them.
Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Beach Street, Lorong Lumut, Lebuh Ah Quee, Love Lane, and Muntri Street are some of the key streets famous for their artwork.
We have listed a few ways to navigate through these hotspots:
1. Walk: The best way to enjoy a bit of street art spottin' is by leisurely walking in these open-air art galleries. Get started early in the morning to avoid the sun and humidity.
2. Rent a bicycle or scooter: You can take a bicycle or scooter on rent and scout the street art at a faster pace.
3. Book a trishaw: Traditional rickshaws promise an interesting ride along with guided tours.
4. Join art trails: Join guided street art tours organised by various travel agencies which offer valuable insights into the heritage and culture of street art.
George Town Street Art
The street art in George Town is home to the majority of murals in Penang and is an absolute must-visit.
Here's a list of the best Penang street art you can find:
Armenian Street
To kick off your street art adventure, start at Armenian Street, just a quick five-minute walk from the backpacker's hotspot on Chulia Street.
Continue toward the world-famous "Little Children on a Bicycle" installation on this street.
You can also see the installation, "Racial Harmony in Penang", featuring three girls from different ethnicities - Chinese, Indian, and Malay - each dressed in their traditional attire.
"The Two Kids on a Bicycle" stands out as Ernest Zacharevic's iconic artwork from 2012, propelling Penang into instant street art fame.
This piece is part of his "Mirrors of George Town" series, capturing the innocence and playfulness of children.
Just around the corner from the 'Children on a Bicycle,' you'll find the fading painting of 'Skippy the Cat.' This diversion lane is also home to popular wall arts like 'Love Me Like a Fortune Cat,' 'Monkey Face,' and 'I Want Bao.'
Cannon Street
The lane connecting Armenian Street and Lebuh Ah Quee is where you'll spot the first 'Roti Seller' mural.
Walk straight, then take a left just before reaching the 'Playing a Scary Trick' mural on Armenian Street.
In this area, you'll come across the 'Roti Seller,' 'Two Men Pushing a Door,' 'Chinese Woman Praying at Hanging Altar,' 'Aboriginal People,' and 'Flying Diamond' murals.
Reaching Up
Part of the "Mirrors of George Town" series, this painting depicts a little boy reaching up to a cup inside a shelf on the wall.
Cat at the blue window
One of the most beloved cat murals features a large cat with yellow eyes peering out of a window. Be sure not to miss the cat's expression!
Beach Street
Beach Street is just a 5-minute walk from Cannon Street via Lorong Soo Hong and Lebuh Ah Quee. Along its length, you'll find landmarks like India House, HSBC, and OCBC Bank.
While Beach Street is a long road with relatively few street artworks, you can still catch a glimpse of 'The Very Strange Machine,' 'Flower Ice Cream,' and 'Little Girl Walking on Numbered Tiles.'
Don't miss Art Lane on Beach Street, a shop transformed into a free-for-all art gallery.
Lorong Lumut
This lane boasts fewer crowds and even some lesser-known cafes, providing a quiet spot for relaxation.
While there, take a moment to appreciate the 'Chinese Door Guardian' and 'Indian Woman under the Tree' murals. The work by artist Julia Volchkova is particularly intriguing, portraying an old Indian lady sitting with her hands in a worship posture. Notably, this mural was painted under a real tree, adding a touch of realism to the artwork.
To get back to Armenian Street or Lebuh Ah Quee, simply walk down Armenian Street alongside the beautiful park.
Lebuh Ah Quee
As you continue on Armenian Street, you'll eventually reach Lebuh Ah Quee. Here, you'll find various installations, including 'Fireman Minion,' 'Man Portrait,' 'Happy Dog with a Steak,' 'Bruce Lee Would Never Do That,' 'Boy Pulling a Dinosaur,' 'Man on a Motorbike,' 'I Hate ❤ Street Art Photos,' and 'Abstract Face.'
Boy Pulling a Dinosaur
This playful mural by Ernest Zacharevic features a realistic boy pulling a stickman dinosaur on a leash.
Although it was gone for a while, it has been repainted and is ready to be enjoyed once again.
Situated next to the "Boy on a Motorbike" mural, it appears a bit faded in comparison.
In this whimsical piece, it looks like the boy is taking his dinosaur for a walk, with the dinosaur being a creative blend of fantasy and reality.
Boy on a Motorbike
Another well-known piece of Penang street art by Ernest Zacharevic is "Boy on a Motorbike."
Interestingly, the motorbike featured in this masterpiece was abandoned by a tourist who came from Vietnam to Penang.
This spot is a popular choice for an Instagram-worthy picture, which explains why both the motorbike and the boy riding it receive fresh coats of paint, showing signs of wear.
During the day, it tends to get quite crowded, so consider planning your visit during the early morning hours or at night.
Bruce Lee Would Never Do That
This mural on a brick wall was created by Artists for Stray Animals. At first glance, it might seem like Bruce Lee is kicking two cats – but that's far from the truth.
Love Lane
This lane features several artworks, with Street Busker and Ghost Band standing out.
It's a hub for music enthusiasts, fostering creativity. Artist Julia Volchkova drew inspiration from a man busking in Georgetown while she was taking a stroll.
Moved by his music, she danced, drawing attention to the busker. Her mural depicts a man with an amputated leg playing the guitar, inspired by this real-life event.
To reach the lane, hop on the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Muzium and then take a short walk from Farquhar Street to Love Lane. This lane connects Farquhar Street to Chulia Street.
Muntri Street
Running through Love Lane, this street is the most charming spot in George Town. Don't miss checking out 'The Five Foot Way Mouth', 'Kung Fu Girl in Blue', 'Mahathir Has Breakfast', and 'Indian Boatman'.
Indian Boatman
This artwork is a stunning and realistic portrayal of an Indian boatman by Julia Volchkova. While you might notice some cracks and exposed bricks at the bottom, the majority of it is still in very good condition.
Penang Road
Approximately a 10-minute walk from Love Lane, going through Jalan Penang and Lebuh Muntri, will lead you to Penang Road. One of the most prominent murals in Penang, 'Trishaw Rider Takes a Rest,' created by Ernest Zacharevic, stands tall in this area.
Chulia Street Ghaut
This street is located about 200 metres from Love Lane and is also reachable on foot from Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal.
The standout street art in this lane is 'Children on a Swing,' a mural by the local deaf-mute artist Louis Gan.
The artwork portrays a heartwarming sibling relationship and is a favourite among tourists for photo opportunities. Don't miss checking it out!
Chew Jetty
Chew Jetty stands as the largest waterfront settlement in Georgetown. To reach here, head to the far end of Armenian Street.
In this area, you can spot Penang street art like 'Auntie and Grandson Smiling,' 'Woman on a Vespa,' 'Trishaw Embedded in the Window,' and 'Folklore by the Sea.'
To find Chew Jetty, continue to the farthest end of Armenian Street.
Marking George Town Project - Iron Rod Street art in Penang
Introducing the Marking George Town Project - Iron Rod Street Art in Penang. This project features a series of 52 iron rod installations scattered around George Town.
Notable among them are 'The Portuguese Church and Chinese Street Gangs' and 'The Bald Tamil Coolies of Green Hall.
Hin Bus Depot
Once a bus park, Hin Bus Depot has transformed into George Town's first-ever art gallery. It now serves as a dynamic community hub, offering a gallery, spaces for arts and events, as well as creative business outlets.
You can find this place within a 10-minute walking distance from the KOMTAR Bus Terminal.
Penang Street Art at Nagore Square
Nagore Square is a recently developed area in Downtown George Town, situated approximately 1.5 km away from the heart of George Town.
Within this locale, you'll discover several popular street art murals. Make sure to visit the Square to appreciate the captivating 'Girl’s Portrait and Baby Bunny,' 'The Girl in the Tropical Forest,' and the feisty 'Badass Peranakan Girl.'
Things to Do in Penang Beyond Street Art
Beyond street art, Penang's got a bunch of cool stuff to keep everyone, from the young ones to the adults, hooked. Check out this list of activities to spice up your next trip:
Visit Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is a fantastic hub for delving into nature, seamlessly blending the wonders of the butterfly and plant realms. Split into two unique sections, Natureland is a haven with approximately 15,000 free-flying butterflies, making it one of Malaysia's largest butterfly gardens.
Journey to The TOP in Penang
Head to The TOP in Penang, the island's ultimate entertainment hub and indoor theme park, for endless hours of fun and excitement.
Take in breathtaking views from the glass walkways of the Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory Deck, step back in time at the Jurassic Research Centre, feel the thrill at the 7D Discovery Motion Theatre, dive into the wonders of the Penang Boutique Aquarium's underwater world, and brave an abandoned house in Zombie Outbreak, and much more!
Cycle through the streets of Penang
Get ready for a 15-kilometre bike ride that takes you beyond the city hustle. Cruise through the history of George Town and explore the changing vibes of Penang. Starting from the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town, follow the laid-back East Coast Line bicycle lane. Grab a cool meal under the iconic Penang Bridge and soak up some awesome stories along the way.
Get a taste of Penang's history
Take a leisurely five-hour stroll through the captivating streets of George Town, Penang, soaking in the incredible mix of history, heritage, and culture. With UNESCO World Heritage status since 2008, George Town offers a unique blend of port city vibes, diverse cultures, and eye-catching architecture.
Try delicious local cuisine
Penang, the ultimate foodie paradise! Join this tour and dive into the city's vibrant street food scene, where pride meets plate. Experience the daily eating extravaganza of a true Penang-lang with delicious bites from diverse culinary traditions as you taste your way through the city.
Commonly Asked Questions
What are the modes of transport in Penang?
Penang offers many transport options ranging from taxis, buses, and trishaws to renting bicycles and scooters hourly.
What are the must-visit places for Penang street art?
If you wish to view a few of the world-famous murals in Penang, you must visit Armenian Street, Lebuh Ah Quee Street, and Muntri Street.
How to smoothly navigate through Penang Street art?
Maps and travel guides are available at tourist information centres, hotels and cafes. Additionally, one can also use Google Maps. It is also advisable to opt for a guided street art tour organised by various travel agencies.
What is the entrance fee to see the street art?
There is NO entrance fee, and Penang's street art is accessible to all.
Are the murals permanently installed?
While some installations are supposed to be permanent, others are subject to wear and tear due to weather conditions and passing times. However, street art is a living and dynamic form of art, and new murals continually embrace the city landscape.