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.
Lorong Toh Aka, also known as Toh Aka Lane, is a narrow, T-shaped alley nestled within George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang. Historically, it was known as “Ironworks Street” due to its association with ironsmiths, particularly from the Cheah clan. Today, the lane is lined with pre-war heritage townhouses, reflecting its rich past. A notable feature is a steel rod art sculpture depicting an ironsmith at work, commemorating the lane’s historical significance. Lorong Toh Aka connects to Beach Street, Malay Street, and the Acheen Street Mosque, making it a charming spot that blends cultural heritage with the vibrant life of George Town.
Fun Fact: The lane gets its name due to a prominent Cheah ironsmith whose descendants were among the first Chinese blacksmiths in George Town. The ironsmith legacy is celebrated with a whimsical steel-rod caricature sculpture on the lane, showing a traditional blacksmith hard at work — part of George Town’s iconic street art series by Sculpture at Work.
An art mural spotted at the side of a shophouse at Karpal Singh Drive. The mural was found to be commissioned by the shop TOTO and was created via a collaboration between artists Ellie and Pei Ji.
A unique four-storeys shophouse located at the junction of Acheen Street and Beach Street in George Town.
A dragon and a phoenix wall art mural painted by a local artist named Zen Lim (Instagram @zenlim_penang_artist). The mural started off with just the dragon and at a later time, a phoenix was also added into the picture. This mural can be found at the side wall of a heritage shophouse located along Carnarvon Street, George Town.
Heritage pre-war shophouses found at Love Lane, George Town.