George Town is one of those rare cities in Asia where you can simply step outside with a map in your hand and lose yourself for hours — not in museums or temples, but in art on walls, on corners, down alleyways. The street art of Penang has turned this old port city into an open-air gallery unlike anything else in Southeast Asia.
I’ve visited George Town multiple times, and every time I walk its streets with that same mix of wonder and quiet melancholy. Because as beautiful as so many of these works are, they’re also fragile. What was there last time may now be faded or gone altogether. That’s part of what makes the search so compelling.
How Penang’s Street Art Scene Began
It started with a UNESCO designation. In 2008, George Town was named a World Heritage Site, and the Penang state government wanted to give the city a distinct identity to match. Their answer was an art project called Marking George Town: 52 steel rod sculptures placed throughout the historic centre, each telling a story about daily life and the history of Georgetown. You’ll still find them everywhere, fixed to walls and buildings.
The real breakthrough, however, came with Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. He first visited George Town around 2011 as a tourist and began painting on the city’s walls. What surprised him was the reaction: people didn’t try to stop him, they stopped to thank him. Even the police gave him a nod of approval. By 2012, he was officially invited back for the George Town Festival, where he created six large murals under the name Mirrors George Town. Those works put Penang street art on the international map.
Since then, artists from around the world have left their mark on the city. Russian artist Julia Volchkova added striking portraits rooted in local culture. Local artist Vincent Phang contributed works tied to George Town’s heritage. And the 101 Lost Kittens campaign brought cat murals to the walls as a statement for stray animals.
The Best Murals in George Town
Armenian Street: the heart of Penang’s street art
Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian) is where you start. This is home to some of Zacharevic’s most famous George Town murals, including Children on a Bicycle, where two children appear to be riding a real bike mounted to the wall. It’s so popular that in high season there’s a queue of visitors waiting to pose. Go early — preferably on a weekday.
Also on Armenian Street is one of my personal favourites: Brother and Sister on a Swing. This one isn’t by Zacharevic but by Louis Gan, a deaf self-taught artist from Penang. The children on the swing are the children of the owner of the printing firm whose wall it was painted on. No commission, no festival — just an artist who wanted to make something beautiful. That’s exactly what makes it so special.
Further down the street you’ll find works from the 101 Lost Kittens project — cat murals that remain as moving today as ever. Not all of them are still clearly visible, but the atmosphere of the street alone makes it worth the walk.
Lebuh Ah Quee: the boy on the motorbike
One of the most photographed pieces of Penang street art sits on Lebuh Ah Quee: Boy on a Motorbike. The motorcycle in the painting is real — left behind by a tourist who rode it all the way from Vietnam to Penang. The work combines painted wall with physical object, which is exactly what makes Zacharevic’s approach so recognisable.
Lebuh Muntri: interactive and playful
On Lebuh Muntri you’ll find Boy on a Chair, where a boy stands on tiptoe reaching for something just out of reach. The chair is real. You can sit beside him, and the composition only becomes clear once you do. This is the power of interactive street art in Penang: the viewer becomes part of the work.
Lebuh Chulia: children playing basketball
Down a small side street off Lebuh Chulia, you’ll find Children Playing Basketball — another Zacharevic work showing a boy and a girl mid-game. It’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, and that’s precisely the point: George Town rewards those who venture beyond the obvious routes and into the side streets.
Wu-Shu Girl: on the wall of Moon Tree 47
This mural of a martial arts practitioner adorns the outer wall of hotel Moon Tree 47, right in the city centre. During my visit in 2023, I stayed at this hotel, and every time I stepped outside she was there looking back at me. It’s one of those works you come across without looking for it. Book your stay at Moon Tree 47
Hin Bus Depot: beyond the centre
About a 15-minute walk from the historic core, Hin Bus Depot is a former bus terminal transformed into a creative space. Its walls are filled with works by local and international artists, and on weekends there’s a market. Well worth the detour if you want to see more than the well-known routes.
The Iron Sculptures of Marking George Town
Alongside the murals, you’ll find the 52 steel sculptures of the Marking George Town project. These small, playful wire figures depict scenes from daily life: a tailor at his sewing machine, children at play, a trishaw driver waiting for passengers. Each one comes with a short text or verse.
They’re less photogenic than the large murals, but they tell stories. Once you start noticing them, you’ll find them everywhere — and they add another layer to walking through George Town.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Go early. Popular works like Children on a Bicycle draw crowds throughout the day. Before 9am, you’ll often have the walls to yourself.
Pick up a map. The official Penang Tourism Board street art map is available at most hotels and at the tourist office on Lebuh Light. Most pieces are also marked on Google Maps.
Expect surprises. Street art is ephemeral. Works that were there three years ago may now be faded or painted over. Go with open eyes, not a checklist.
Walk or cycle. George Town is compact enough to explore on foot. A bicycle helps if you want to venture further afield — to Hin Bus Depot, for example, or Chew Jetty.
I always bring my own reusable water bottle. My mission is to eliminate single-use plastic — refilling instead of throwing away is one of the easiest ways to contribute as a traveler. A foldable bag #ad for small purchases also helps cut down on unnecessary plastic waste along the way.
George Town Beyond the Street Art
George Town is far more than an open-air gallery. The city has large Chinese and Indian communities, and their presence is visible everywhere — in the architecture, the temples, and the clan houses. The Chinese clan houses are remarkable: centuries-old community buildings still in use today, some open to visitors.
George Town is also known for its street food. Nasi Kandar, char kway teow, asam laksa — the food alone is reason enough to spend a few days here. Combine your street art walk with a stop at a local food stall and you’ll have a day you won’t forget easily.
If you’d like a guided introduction to the murals, you can book a walking tour in advance — spots fill up fast in high season.
Where to Stay in George Town
Ke-lan-tan House is a characterful, rustic hotel in the historic centre. Rooms don’t have a private bathroom attached, but each guest has their own private bathroom elsewhere on the floor — and it’s beautifully done. A great choice if you want an authentic stay.
Moon Tree 47 sits right in the centre, in the very building that carries the Wu-Shu Girl mural. Several room types available, including a two-floor room at the back of the property. Ideally located for everything George Town has to offer.
Getting There
George Town is on the island of Penang, in northwestern Malaysia. You fly into Penang International Airport (PEN), with direct connections from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. From the airport, a taxi or Grab takes around 30 minutes to the city centre. There’s also a ferry from Butterworth on the mainland.
When to Go
Penang has a tropical climate. The driest period for George Town falls between December and February. The summer months (June to September) are generally dry on the western side of the island. Avoid the wetter period from September to November if you’re planning to spend most of your time walking outside.
How Long to Stay
Allow a full day to a day and a half if you want to cover the street art thoroughly. Budget three to five days if you also want to explore the clan houses, Little India, the food stalls and make a day trip to the national park.
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Also read
- Read all about Penang
- Cookingclasa at Pickles & Spices
- Visit the Haunted Castle of Kellie!
- Visit the world’s oldest rainforest the Taman Negara
- Hiking on Machinchang Trail or cable car to Skybrigde Langkawi
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