We love ART, who doesn’t right? Here are 9 best street art cities in South East Asia so the very next time you travel to any of these places, you can explore the local scenes on your own and be immersed in the beautiful expression via street art showcased by talented and carefree artists worldwide. To make it easier for our Muslim travellers, we’ve included a few halal places to eat nearby the area. So are you ready? Let’s go!
1) Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Georgetown is a unique city in Malaysia and it is a UNESCO world heritage city. This place is home to one of Asia’s and perhaps word’s most recognized collections of street art. Wander around the inviting colonial-style streets and be ready to discover the rare, exclusive and artsy collection of frescoes on the walls of the buildings. All piece of art depicts different urban and bygone era characteristics of the city, conveying stories to the current generation about the past and present.
Halal restaurant nearby:
Restoran Kapitan, 93, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
2) Taguig, Philippines
Mabuhay! Welcome to Philippines. One of the best destinations you can visit to witness the large scale of wonderful public or street art is at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. The drawings and paintings on the streets of Taguig are products of the ArtBGC NextAct ONE Festival which was a weeklong mural carnival held in May 2015. It was organized by the Bonifacio Arts Foundation (BAFI) in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) district. Some of the artists involved in making the streets of Taguig a piece of art heaven are, Faile, Dee Jae Pa’este, Doppel, Nate Frizzel and a lot more.
Halal restaurant nearby:
The Halal Guys, Ground Floor, Fully Booked Building, B6, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines.
3) Phuket, Thailand
The land of smiles, Thailand. Do you know that Thailand can be considered as one of the countries in the South East of Asia that have unique street arts as its attractions? In Phuket for instance, it is filled with the abundance of street arts and around the Island, you will be able to see the work of the artists boasting the walls and streets of Phuket with their intricate masterpiece.
Halal Restaurant nearby:
Rayaan’s Oriental Restaurant 2, 165/5-6, Soi Sansbai, Rath-u-Thit 200 Pee Rd. Patong Phuket Thailand.
**Note: They are open 24 hours and they have a delivery service too.
4) Malacca, Malaysia
Being a historical state in Malaysia, Malacca is another melting pot of the country. It is quite similar to the state of Penang in terms of being rich with historical and cultural heritage. Right after the street art blossomed in Penang, Malacca decided to jump on the bandwagon as tourism is one of its strength in contributing to the state. When you go all around Malacca, you will see many street paintings. To list them all down will take pages but some of the famous ones would be the gigantic Orang Utan mural at the Orang Utan House which has secured the spot since 2008. You can also check out the painted buildings along the Malacca River and the vibrant colours splashed on the old and derelict houses, reflect the town’s melting pot of values.
Halal restaurant nearby:
Le.QUE Restaurant, No. 21, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock | Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Melaka 75200, Malaysia.
5) Singapore
Haji Lane is rich with local eateries, quirky shops, and is the real deal when it comes to art and culture. Located at Kampong Glam, Singapore, it is definitely one of the most authentic and charming areas in the City of Lion. There is a hipster looking alleyway in Kampong Glam that offers an extensive collection of street arts both by local and international names like Sheryo x The Yok, Didier Jaba Mathieu, Oak and Bindi and a whole lot more.
Halal restaurant nearby:
I AM cafe (*Muslim-owned*), 674 North Bridge Road, junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane, Singapore.
You can also check out our previous post of 8 best halal buffets in Singapore below SGD100, 7 best 5-stars Singapore hotels with halal food and 10 halal restaurants in Singapore, loved by Celebrities and Sultans.
6) Jakarta, Indonesia
In 2013, there was a new art program initiated in Jakarta, Indonesia named The Mural Project in conjunction with the 15th Jakarta Biennale. In Asia itself, Indonesia has been among the countries which are leading other nations in promoting street art as well as engaging the communities via public art missions. Since 2012, the Indonesian Street Art Database has been busy cultivating an online record of street art around the nation for the effort of creating a greater awareness in the form of art. As the Jakarta Biennale conceived the Mural Project, it featured seven Indonesian mural artists and all their works are scattered in many locations around the city. The main intention is to yield works of street art that possessed stories on how the locals survive in each area.
Halal restaurant nearby:
Lara Djonggrang, Jl. Cik Di Tiro 4 | Tugu Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia
7) Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Now let’s head to a serene village located in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. This town used to be a tranquil agricultural village which at recent years has turned into a hip surfer town. First thing when you arrive in Canggu, perhaps, you would not expect to see a lot of street art, but as you explore, you will be amazed at a number of street arts conveyed at its finest. The artists that contributed to the street art around Canggu are The Snake Hole, The Yok, Ricky Afdi, Idol Motions, Bazuco and plenty more! All of them have their own distinct styles and a trip to Canggu would give you nothing but amusement.
Halal restaurant nearby:
Rumah Makan Ayam Bakar Wong Solo (Kuta), Raya Kuta Tuban No.87, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
8) Ximen, Taipei, Taiwan
Ximen, Taipei is a city in Taiwan which is famous among the youngsters generally. If you think you are cool, funky and hip, perhaps, you would want to visit Ximen. Well, aside from that, this place is also famous for shopping and dining and if you were to head to the back alley of Ximen’s street, you will be able to see some areas that have cool street art. If you do get the opportunity to visit Ximen in Taipei, don’t forget do leave yourself plenty of time to do a bit off the beaten path sightseeing, turning into a few side streets between corner shops and old fashioned Taiwanese cribs. You will surely find a lot of great street art for sure.
Halal restaurant nearby:
Beef Noodles Restaurant, No. 21, Yanping S. Rd., Taipei City (MRT: Taipei main station / Ximen)
9) Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
In Ipoh, the murals and street art are painted on the golden era of heritage buildings, which is a smart effort in preserving the rare gems. Most of the frescoes focus the abundant cultures Malaysia possesses; the Kuda Kepang dance, the Indian Dance, the Kadazan-Dusun Dance as well as a sprinkle of excitement from Malaysian childhood games like the hide-and-seek as well as Mother Hen. Don’t forget to prepare that camera and snap all the beautiful murals for remembrance!
Halal restaurant nearby:
Oldtown White Coffee, No. 3, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
You will never know what hidden gem you will encounter. After all, life is all about exploring right? If you’re looking for Muslim-friendly travel packages around Southeast Asia, check out our website for more info.