Tag: toh aka lane

Views from Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane)

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 from Cheah Toh Aka, a prominent ironsmith whose descendants were among the first Chinese blacksmiths in George Town. The nickname “Toh Aka” actually means “Blacksmith Toh” in Hokkien! His 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.

Penang Street Art (Street Art by Alex Face)

Above murals created by Thai artist Alex Face in various parts of George Town, featuring his signature three-eyed, bunny-eared child character. First one is at Ah Quee Street while the second one is at Toh Aka Lane.

Alex Face (real name Patcharapon Tangruen) last month turned a 1,300km cycling trip from Bangkok to Penang into something unexpectedly beautiful — an art exhibition. Along the way, he captured the quiet beauty and slow disappearance of rural landscapes through 16 striking paintings, which were on display in his solo show Faded Landscapes at Cultprint in George Town, Penang (March 15 – May 18, 2025).

Each piece was infused with his usual signature three-eyed, bunny-eared child character, symbolizing innocence observing a changing world. The works reflected places and moments from his journey — from misty rice fields in Alor Setar to the fading charm of George Town’s sunsets. The exhibition was also part of Penang Long Art Weekend, celebrating creativity throughout the city with murals, talks, and more.

Penang Street Art (The Old Blacksmith)

A recent art mural painted by showcasing an old blacksmith at work, located at Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane) in George Town. Toh Aka Lane is an old street used to be known as blacksmiths’ lane back in the old days of Penang.

The mural is a tribute to Chong Saik Pow, a famous blacksmith who had his workshop and origins at the lane. The art work was created by a local artist named Vincent Phang.

Penang Street Art (Toh Aka Lane Sculpture)

A steel rod art sculpture depicting an Ironsmith at work, which also tells the origin of the Toh Aka Lane (Lorong Toh Aka) in George Town. Known locally in the old days as “Ironworks Street”, most of the people staying in this area were ironsmiths and the majority of them belonged to the Cheah clan.

Penang Street Art Map (Part 13 – Lumut Lane and Toh Aka Lane)

mapartlumut_tohaka
Click on the image for a larger size.

Street arts featured in this map:
The Old Indian Lady
The Ancient Guardian

For other street arts in Penang, please click HERE.

Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane)

Toh Aka Streetview

Toh Aka Streetview

Toh Aka Streetview

Toh Aka Streetview

Toh Aka Streetview

Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane) is located at the heart of the heritage zone in George Town and is an old and rather narrow street. The street was said to be the home of iron smiths back in the old days. Rows of pre-war heritage style townhouses line up the street and majority of these houses belong to the Cheah clan community.