Penang Street Art (The Nine Shophouses Mural)

A wall art mural painted on one of the “Nine Shophouses of Kek Chuan Road” in George Town. The Nine Shophouses are a row of rejuvenated pre-war townhouses in Kek Chuan Road which are also painted with nine distinctive colors.

Penang Street Art (The Wedding Couple)

An art mural created by a freestyle artist named Craig Griffin for a cake house which is located along McNair Street, in George Town. The black and white art work depicts a couple in wedding attire looking out through a window, into the landscape beyond.

The Jade Emperor Temple

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The Jade Emperor Temple at the foot of Penang Hill.

During the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, Chinese Hokkien people will be celebrating the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is also known as the Hokkien people’s new year, and has its origin back during the Song Dynasty where Chinese Hokkien refugees were saved from being caught and killed by the Mongols on the same day of the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Hence, as gratitude and believing that the Jade Emperor had saved them, the Hokkien people soon marked this day as an important festival to be celebrated.

Most Chinese in Penang are Hokkiens, so this day is usually celebrated more widely (and ‘loudly’) here than the first day of Chinese New Year.

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2018

The Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event held in Penang, and this year marks the 4th time the festival is held. The festival usually features participation of hot air balloons from various places, including local and international.

The festival is currently being held at Padang Polo for 2 days, 24th and 25th February, from 7am to 9:30pm.

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The Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, attending and officiated the festival.

Penang Street Art: A Hidden Art Alley

A series of murals painted on the wall of a small hidden alley in George Town.

These art works can be found at a hidden alley that exits to Tye Kee Yoon Road, which is off Brick Kiln Road in George Town.