George Town's Open-Air Gallery
George Town Street Art: Every Mural Mapped with Photo Tips
I watched Ernest Zacharevic paint the Kids on Bicycle mural from my neighbour's window in 2012. Since then, I've tracked every new addition to George Town's open-air gallery — from the 52 steel rod sculptures most visitors walk past, to murals hidden in back alleys that don't appear on the tourist maps.
Interactive Street Art Map#
Coming soon: An interactive map with all mural locations, walking routes, and photo tips.
Iconic Must-See Murals#
These are the murals that put George Town on the map. Expect crowds at peak times.
Kids on Bicycle
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
The most iconic street art in Penang, featuring two children on an old bicycle. This interactive mural encourages visitors to pose on the real bicycle attached to the wall.
Boy on Chair
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
A whimsical mural of a boy reaching for something while standing on a chair. One of the original Mirrors George Town series that put Penang street art on the map.
Boy on Motorbike
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
A young boy on a vintage motorcycle, with a real motorcycle prop for interactive photos. Located in a quiet residential area.
Featured Murals Deep Dive#
I have spent years watching these walls transform. Here is what most visitors do not know about the murals that made George Town famous.
Kids on Bicycle#
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012 · Armenian Street
Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic painted this during the 2012 George Town Festival, and it became the single image most associated with Penang. The mural shows two children on a real bicycle mounted to the wall — a technique Zacharevic calls "interactive art" because visitors become part of the scene. The children depicted are based on real siblings from the neighbourhood. I remember watching Zacharevic sketch on site for two days before he started painting. What makes this mural special is the sense of movement — the kids look like they are about to pedal off the wall.
Best photo time: Before 8am or after 5pm. The wall faces east, so morning light is softer. By 9am, you will be queuing behind 20+ people for your turn on the bicycle.
Boy on Motorbike#
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012 · Ah Quee Street
This mural features a boy reaching up to the handles of a real vintage Vespa-style motorbike fixed to the wall. Zacharevic reportedly found the bike at a scrapyard in Jelutong. The mural has been restored once after weather damage in 2014, and the motorbike itself has been replaced twice. Locals call this one "the other bicycle mural" because tourists often confuse it with Kids on Bicycle. I always tell visitors — this one is actually easier to photograph because the alley is wider and gets fewer tour groups in the late afternoon.
Best photo time: Late afternoon (4-5:30pm) when the alley gets indirect golden light. Stand to the left for the most flattering angle with the motorbike.
Little Children on a Boat#
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012 · Chew Jetty area
Tucked near the clan jetties, this mural shows children in a real sampan (wooden boat) attached to the wall. It is one of Zacharevic's six original pieces and often gets overlooked because it sits slightly away from the main cluster on Armenian Street. The mural references Penang's fishing heritage and the water village communities of the clan jetties just a few minutes' walk away. I like bringing visitors here because you can pair it with a walk through Chew Jetty itself — the real wooden houses on stilts over the sea, where families have lived for generations.
Best photo time: Morning (8-10am) when the light hits the wall evenly. Weekday mornings are practically deserted here compared to Armenian Street.
Brother and Sister on a Swing#
Louis Gan · 2013 · Stewart Lane
This is not a Zacharevic piece — it was painted by local artist Louis Gan, who followed the interactive mural trend after Zacharevic's originals went viral. The real metal swing attached to the wall invites visitors to sit and pose. What I find interesting about this mural is how it represents the second wave of George Town street art: local artists responding to the international attention with their own interpretations. Gan's style is slightly more cartoonish, with bolder outlines and brighter colours than Zacharevic's photorealistic approach.
Best photo time: The wall is partially shaded by an overhanging roof, so midday actually works here when other murals are washed out. Try 11am-1pm for even lighting.
Little Girl in Blue#
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012 · Muntri Street
A girl in a blue cheongsam reaching upward on a weathered shophouse wall. Unlike the interactive murals with mounted objects, this one relies purely on the painting and the texture of the crumbling plaster wall to create its effect. Zacharevic deliberately chose this deteriorating wall because the peeling paint adds depth to the image — the girl looks like she is emerging from the building's history. This is my personal favourite of all the George Town murals because it captures something about the neighbourhood that photographs of shiny restored shophouses miss: the beauty of imperfection, the layers of time visible in every crack.
Best photo time: Overcast days are ideal — direct sunlight creates harsh shadows on the textured wall. If sunny, try early morning before 8am when the wall is fully in shade.
All Murals#
Kids on Bicycle
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
The most iconic street art in Penang, featuring two children on an old bicycle. This interactive mural encourages visitors to pose on the real bicycle attached to the wall.
Boy on Chair
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
A whimsical mural of a boy reaching for something while standing on a chair. One of the original Mirrors George Town series that put Penang street art on the map.
Brother and Sister on a Swing
Louis Gan · 2012
A heartwarming mural showing two children on a swing, with the actual swing attached to the wall for interactive photos.
Little Girl in Blue
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012
A sweet portrait of a girl in a blue dress, one of Zacharevic's smaller but beloved works in the Armenian Street area.
Boy on Motorbike
IconicErnest Zacharevic · 2012
A young boy on a vintage motorcycle, with a real motorcycle prop for interactive photos. Located in a quiet residential area.
Minions
Lithuanian (ASA) · 2013
A colorful mural featuring the popular Minion characters. A hit with families and children.
Kungfu Girl
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012
A powerful mural of a girl practicing martial arts, showcasing Zacharevic's ability to capture movement and energy.
Reaching Up
Ernest Zacharevic · 2012
A large-scale mural of a boy reaching upward, part of the original Mirrors George Town project that launched Penang's street art scene.
Cats and Humans
ASA (Artists for Stray Animals) · 2013
A series of cat-themed murals around George Town, created to raise awareness for stray animals. Part of the 101 Lost Kittens project.
Bruce Lee Kicks
Various Artists · 2013
A dynamic mural of Bruce Lee in his iconic kicking pose. While not by Zacharevic, it's become a popular stop on the street art trail.
Steel Rod Sculptures#
52 steel rod sculptures depicting scenes from traditional Penang life. More subtle than murals but equally meaningful.
Old Uncle with Coffee Shop
Steel Rod Sculpture Series · 2012
Part of the 52 steel rod sculptures installed around George Town, depicting scenes from traditional Penang life. This one shows an uncle at a kopitiam.
Trishaw Paddler
Steel Rod Sculpture Series · 2012
A delicate steel rod sculpture depicting a traditional trishaw paddler, celebrating Penang's iconic mode of transport.
Hidden Pieces Most Visitors Miss#
The famous murals draw millions of visitors, but George Town has dozens of lesser-known pieces tucked into back alleys and quiet lanes. These are the ones I take friends to when they tell me they have "already seen the street art."
The Indian Boatman
Back alley off Lebuh Chulia
A faded but beautiful mural of a man rowing a boat, painted on a wall behind a row of budget guesthouses on Chulia Street. Most tourists walk right past the narrow entrance. Look for the gap between a travel agency and a motorcycle repair shop — the mural is about 15 metres in. It represents the Indian Muslim trading communities that once dominated this stretch of George Town. The paint is weathering naturally, which honestly makes it more compelling.
Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Murals
Armenian Street, past the main cluster
Everyone stops at Kids on Bicycle and turns around. If you continue 200 metres further south on Armenian Street, you will reach the Cheah Kongsi clan house. The walls surrounding it have several smaller murals and steel rod pieces that almost nobody photographs. The quiet here is a sharp contrast to the crowds at the bicycle mural — I have stood here for ten minutes without seeing another visitor.
Cat Alley (Soi Romanee Tribute)
Off Lebuh Armenia, near Love Lane
A narrow lane covered in cat-themed murals and installations by Artists for Stray Animals (ASA). These are not in the official street art trail maps but they are charming — painted cats peering from window sills, cat sculptures on drainpipes, and a large wall piece showing Penang's relationship with its stray cat population. It is a welcome break from the more serious heritage-themed art and a great spot for playful photos.
The Fisherman Steel Sculpture
Weld Quay, near the ferry terminal
While the steel rod sculptures in the core heritage zone get all the attention, several pieces are scattered near the waterfront on Weld Quay. The Fisherman sculpture is mounted on a wall facing the Penang Strait and shows a traditional net fisherman in silhouette. The setting is perfect — you can photograph it with the real sea and passing ferries as a backdrop. I think it is the most atmospheric of all 52 steel rod pieces, yet I have never seen it featured in a travel blog.
Hin Bus Depot Art Centre
31A Jalan Gurdwara · 10 min walk from core zone
A converted bus depot turned permanent street art gallery, just outside the UNESCO zone. The murals here rotate — local and visiting artists repaint walls regularly, so what you see changes every few months. Zacharevic himself has a permanent piece here. There is also a weekend market (Saturday and Sunday) with food stalls and craft vendors. This is where George Town's art scene actually lives and evolves, beyond the preserved tourist trail. The walk from the core heritage zone takes about 10 minutes and passes through real working neighbourhoods — a nice contrast to the polished shophouses.
Photography Tips#
After thousands of photos at these murals, here is what I have learned about getting shots that actually stand out from the millions already on Instagram.
Best Time for Photos
Early morning (7-9am) for empty streets. Golden hour (5-6pm) for warm light. Avoid 10am-3pm when tour groups arrive. If you only have one morning, prioritise Armenian Street first — it gets crowded earliest.
Dealing with Crowds
Visit on weekdays. Queue patiently at popular murals. Consider revisiting early morning if first attempt is crowded. If someone is posing, wait for them to finish rather than hovering — it creates anxiety for everyone.
Interactive Murals
Many murals include real props (bicycles, swings). Be gentle with them — these have been replaced multiple times due to rough handling. Take turns, and do not climb on pieces that are clearly fragile.
Finding Hidden Art
Some murals are in narrow alleys off the main streets. Pick up a free map from the Penang Tourism office on Beach Street. Steel sculptures are often overlooked — they are mounted higher on walls, so look up.
Camera and Phone Settings
Phone cameras work perfectly. Use HDR mode for murals on bright walls to avoid blowing out the whites. Turn off flash — it flattens the mural's texture. On a proper camera, f/4-5.6 gives good depth of field for both you and the wall art.
Composition for Interactive Murals
Stand at a slight angle rather than dead centre — it creates depth. Have your photographer crouch slightly below eye level for a more dynamic shot. Leave space around the mural in your frame so the street context shows.
What to Wear
Avoid white clothing — it reflects too much light and draws the eye away from the mural. Solid colours in mid-tones (terracotta, teal, mustard) complement the weathered walls. Avoid busy patterns that compete with the art.
Photographer Etiquette
Do not touch or lean on the murals — oils from skin accelerate deterioration. If someone is setting up a tripod shot, give them a moment. Never block a mural with your own props or signs. Respect the neighbourhood — these are people's homes.
Suggested Walking Route#
Route Summary
Total distance: roughly 2.5 km | Walking time: 35-40 minutes (without stops) | With photo stops and food breaks: 3-4 hours | Best start time: 7:30am
I have walked this route hundreds of times with friends and visiting family. It covers the essential murals in a logical loop that minimises backtracking, with food stops at places I actually eat at.
- 1
Armenian Street (Start)
Begin at Kids on Bicycle — arrive by 7:30am for photos without crowds. Walk slowly down Armenian Street and look for three steel rod sculptures on the upper walls of shophouses on both sides. The sculpture showing a traditional trades scene is easy to miss on the right side halfway down.
5 min walk south · Nearby: Cafe 55 for kopi-o on Armenian Street
- 2
Cannon Street
Boy on Chair mural and a cluster of steel rod sculptures along this stretch. The sculptures here depict traditional trades — a cobbler, a trishaw rider, and a fortune teller. Take your time along this street; the steel pieces are mounted higher up on the walls and people walk right under them without looking up.
7 min walk west · Nearby: Tek Sen for lunch if it is past 11:30am
- 3
Muntri Street
Little Girl in Blue is the highlight here — Zacharevic's purely painted piece on the crumbling wall. Continue past to find Kungfu Girl by local artist WK Setor. The contrast between these two styles (photorealistic vs. graphic) shows the range of George Town's street art scene. Check the narrow lane between Muntri and Love Lane for smaller, unsigned murals.
4 min walk north · Nearby: China House for coffee and cake (worth the splurge)
- 4
Stewart Lane
Brother and Sister on Swing by Louis Gan — the real swing prop makes this popular with families. Walk the full length of Stewart Lane for Minions mural and several newer pieces by local artists that were added in 2019-2022. The lane gets afternoon shade, so this is a comfortable stop if you started late.
6 min walk east · Nearby: Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih for traditional cakes
- 5
Ah Quee Street (Finish)
End at Boy on Motorbike — this alley is wider than Armenian Street, so even late morning the crowd feels manageable. After your photo, walk to the end of Ah Quee Street and turn right onto Beach Street where you can grab an iced cendol from Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul (5 min walk) as a reward for completing the route.
Wei Lin Tan
George Town native and former heritage conservation officer. 12 years of documenting Penang's food, architecture, and living traditions.