Category: George Town / Island

Penang Street Art (Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng)

An art mural painted by local artist Vincent Phang depicting the famous Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng stall at Cecil Street Market. This mural can be found at the corner shophouse of McNair Street and Cecil Street Market junction.

Located at Cecil Street Market in George Town, Penang, this family-run stall has served its signature duck meat kōay teow th’ng since the late 1970s. It earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025, praised for its savory clear broth packed with umami, silky duck, pork, fish cakes, fish balls, duck blood jelly, and aromatic fried garlic and shallot bits—served over smooth flat rice noodles.

Penang Street Art (Beacon of Hope / Bomba Street Art)

The “Beacon of Hope” mural, also known as Bomba Street Art, is a 100-meter-long public artwork beside Malaysia’s oldest fire station on Beach Street, Penang. Painted by muralist Tam Yaw Tyng in 2023, it features 18 vibrant panels that honor the bravery of firefighters, including tributes to seven fallen heroes. Commissioned by The Learning Kingdom Education and supported by the Penang Fire Department, the mural transforms the alleyway into a meaningful tribute to courage and sacrifice—now a popular stop in George Town’s UNESCO heritage zone.

Sights in Penang : A Bougainvillea Tree at Kampung Kolam

In Malaysia, one of the most eye-catching plants you’ll often see brightening up fences, gates, and roadsides is the bougainvillea, known locally as pokok bunga kertas. Its name, which translates to “paper flower,” perfectly describes the thin, papery texture of its vibrant bracts that come in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white. Despite its delicate appearance, this hardy plant thrives in the tropical heat with minimal care, making it a favorite for gardens and public spaces. Whether it’s cascading over a trellis or standing tall like a small tree, the bougainvillea adds a burst of cheerful color wherever it grows—an unmistakable part of the Malaysian landscape.

Penang Street Art (The ‘Sad Art’ Cement Eclipses Tiny Figure Miniatures)

During the George Town Festival, Spanish artist Isaac Cordal brought a unique touch to Penang by placing around 20 tiny cement sculptures—known as Cement Eclipses—throughout George Town. These small, somber-looking figures, about 17–20 cm tall, can be found perched on walls, ledges, and electrical boxes, often high above eye level. Blending quietly into the city’s heritage architecture, they invite passersby to pause, look up, and discover hidden corners of the city—like a little art treasure hunt tucked into the urban landscape.

Here is the list of locations where you can hunt/find these tiny art sculptures (note: some may no longer be there anymore or removed):

  • Armenian Street Junction (opposite the famous bicycle mural)
  • Biscotti Cafe, Beach Street
  • Warehouse 129, Beach Street
  • Fuku (side alley of the building), Beach Street
  • The Courtyard, Beach Street
  • Vietnamese Phở & Coffee @ Lean Thye 1951 (building’s back), Ah Quee Street
  • Lebuh Ah Quee Junction
  • 56, Lorong Pasar
  • Penang Straits and Oriental Museum, Stewart Lane
  • 39, Love Lane
  • 33, Love Lane
  • Journal George Town, Muntri Street
  • Green-colored Townhouses along Magazine Road
  • Curios-City Penang, Victoria Street
  • U.A.B Building Interior (closed at the time of this hunt)

Sights in Penang : Trishaws at Stewart Lane

The Penang trishaw, which looks like a small buggy attached to a bicycle, first appeared around 1935–1936 with about 50 units managed by the city. It used to be a common way for locals to get around, but today it’s mostly a fun ride for tourists—complete with bright neon lights, music, and guided trips through George Town’s narrow streets and famous murals.

Penang Reclining Buddha Thai Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram)

Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple in Penang, located along Burma Road in George Town, is famed for housing one of the world’s largest reclining Buddha statues, measuring an impressive 33 meters in length. Founded in 1845 on land granted by Queen Victoria to the Thai community, the temple is a vibrant symbol of Thai Theravāda Buddhism in Malaysia. With its ornate golden pagodas, intricately decorated prayer halls, and serene garden, it draws visitors for both worship and sightseeing. The reclining Buddha’s posture represents the historical Buddha at the moment of his final passing into Nirvana, symbolizing peace and detachment from worldly suffering.

Interesting Fact: Hidden within the base of the giant reclining Buddha are niches that serve as columbariums—small compartments that hold the ashes of devotees. So while the statue symbolizes peace and Nirvana, it quite literally rests above the remains of those seeking eternal serenity, blending spiritual symbolism with a practical function.