17 Best Cities to See Street Art in Asia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is street art?

Street art in Asia is a creative form of visual art. It is created both officially and unofficially for public visibility and appreciation.

Bold and vibrant wording has evolved over the years into image-based graphics. It has become a way to express emotions covering all topics, from misery and suffering to celebration and hope. Street art has also allowed otherwise undiscovered artists to share their vision and talent in the public arena.

How does street art differ from graffiti?

While all art displayed on the street sits under the umbrella of street art, there are obvious differences between the two.

Asian graffiti can display words, line drawings and the artist’s tag (street name), whereas street art ranges from abstract to fine art painting. Urban art can depict anything from actual events to famous people or purely fictional images created by street artists.

Is street art illegal? 

If it appears unofficially, it is illegal; however, whereas street art was regarded in some circles as vandalism, it is now regarded by the majority as an art form, and commissions are undertaken by artists, often in urban areas where the local government is regenerating.

George Town in Penang is one example of this undertaken by the international street artist Ernest Zacharevic.

What mediums do street artists use?

Asian street artists use mediums such as spray paint, emulsion, permanent markers and recycled materials to create personal styles and techniques. Spray paint alone tends to be the medium of choice for graffiti artists.

Which city has the most street art in Asia?

George Town, Penang – This Malaysian town has Asia’s largest street art concentration per capita.

Who is the most famous street artist in Asia?

The Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, took Asia by storm in 2012 when his first street art pieces appeared at the George Town Festival.

Ingenious props such as bicycles and motorbikes gave his street art a dimension that hadn’t been witnessed before. Girl and Boy on a Bike is probably his most famous piece of street art, with visitors queuing around the block to have their photos taken beside it.

Zacharevic went on to display street art in several other Asian cities, including Dubai and Singapore.

With contributions from fellow travel bloggers, I can bring you the best cities to find street art in Asia.

These 17 cities are those visited by each blogger. They have given their insights into what you can expect in each of Asia’s best street art cities.

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Best Street Art in Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is a lesser-known haven for street art in Asia. As a regular visitor, I always find new murals that have popped up in the city’s centre.

In recent years, the annual Cambodia Urban Art Festival has been instrumental in providing canvases to budding local and international artists to the country to leave their mark on the urban landscape.

You can find murals everywhere, but Street 93 has traditionally been the home of street art in Phnom Penh. More recently, several large-scale works have been painted in the alleyways around Street 240, adding another layer of cool to this popular cafe and shopping haunt.

Some works are inspired by Cambodia’s Golden Age and portray artists who lost their lives during the Khmer Rouge regime. There’s also a beautiful mural of Kak Channthy, a local musician who passed away a few years ago. I love these colourful tributes.

Phnom Penh has long been overlooked in favour of Siem Reap, but the street art scene is one of the reasons its reputation is changing for the better.

Best Street Art in China

Hong Kong

I wasn’t expecting to see so much street art on my trip to Hong Kong. The traditional area of Old Town Central has been brought alive with murals, portraits and landscapes that now claim its once-dull buildings and walls.

Check out the quintessential area near the famous Hollywood Road – yes, that really is its name – and you will find all manner of delightful works of street art.

Prepare to be confronted by a 20ft portrait of Frank Sinatra alongside Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin – just along the road from the ancient Man Mo Temple. It seems out of place but simultaneously fits in, a strange concept.

Local street artist Alex Croft has left his mark on the city with a colourful mural portraying Hong Kong’s iconic Tong Lau tenement buildings. This piece of HK street art attracts both tourists and locals, and I managed to get my chance to capture a photograph of it on my visit.

Hong Kong’s street art is not just a magnet for tourists, as we witnessed during our visit. Newlyweds had chosen a road lined with brightly coloured urban graffiti – a more radical form of street art – as the backdrop for their photoshoot. Not for everyone, but it looked really cool.

Hong Kong has an active and diverse street art scene and is definitely worth a visit!

Best Street Art in India

Delhi

With street art and graffiti capturing attention worldwide, Delhi, the vibrant capital of India, is trying to fall into step with the world.

Khirki Village remains one of the first areas that lend its otherwise barren walls to the street artists who brought them to life.

From Hauz Khas, Shahpur Jat, Tihar Jail, Arjan Garh Metro Station, and Delhi Police Headquarters to Lodhi Colony – talented street artists from around the world have brightened the dull neighbourhoods in New Delhi with their intriguing wall art.

Street artists have used their art to beautify neighbourhoods and spread awareness among people. All of the murals carry a strong social message.

The best street art in Delhi is at Lodhi Colony. St+ART India (a non-profit organization) brought together global urban artists to create the first open-air art museum in India, fondly called Lodhi Art District.

My favourite is Nature’s Arch and Visions of Altered Landscapes by a Canadian artist, Aaron Li-Hill.

The artist purposely used a wall with a natural archway (right in the centre) and a tree jutting through it.

He mixed the elements of the west (polar bear) and east (tigers), men and women, and of course, the arched walkway to show the adverse effects of climate change while indicating hope and optimism.

 Mumbai

Located on the slopes of Ghatkopar hills on the Andheri-Ghatkopar link road in Mumbai, a small village called Asalpha was not known until a few years ago. It was a hilltop slum, which nobody, except its residents, wanted to visit.

All that changed when a local design studio’s founder noticed Asalpha and its dire state. He brought together a group of 750 volunteers to create street art magic.

The ‘team’ collaborated to paint walls and create murals at the Asalpha settlement. The idea was to change perceptions around slums and to give their residents a reason to be proud.

Fondly called the ‘Positano’ of Mumbai’, the landscape consists of many elevations, and the road leading up to the top is a steep uphill climb.

By transforming the appearance of Asalpha village using interesting street murals, this urban work of art became the topic of discussion for many.

Asalpha is now a popular tourist attraction and has grabbed the attention of many. Several curated street art tours allow visitors to see the transformation for themselves.

Best Street Art in Indonesia

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta’s unpolished, gritty streets are splashed with the colourful creations of Indonesia’s many talented street artists.

The city, known for being the cultural capital of Java, holds just as much history as it does religious significance, and you can see it in the artwork on its walls.

Whether political or religious, street art in Yogyakarta has a purpose. Either driving social change or reminding locals of their spiritual heritage.

Much of the art depicts spiritual icons like Rangda and Barong, which can appear eerie or intimidating to many. Still, if you learn a bit about Indonesian folklore, it gives the artwork context & I came to love the long-tongued wide-eyed demons painted throughout the city.

You can find the art all over Yogyakarta, often tucked away in alleyways and along the main road cutting through the city.

My favourite Asian street artist in Yogyakarta has to be Angard. His unique designs can be found worldwide, but especially on his home island of Java. They tend to be whimsical-looking figures but are often political, as many young street artists, himself included, are social activists.

If you’re planning a visit to the beautiful island of Java, a stop in the artsy city of Yogyakarta is an absolute must. After you’ve enjoyed the street art, perhaps climb the formidable Mount Bromo for free. 

Best Street Art in Malaysia

Ipoh

Asia is in no shortage of stunning street art. From the megacities of China to the small towns in Thailand, street art dots the varying landscapes and adds character to the destinations.

They offer glimpses into the culture of the place you visit, such as the city of Ipoh, Malaysia, one of my favourite street art locations in Asia.

Various stunning street arts dot this Chinese-dominant Malaysian city, from Concubine Lane to Mural Art Lane.

The most famous one is arguably in Concubine Lane, depicting an elderly man having afternoon tea with an elegantly dressed woman (presumably his concubine) in the traditional qipao. This mural depicts a part of Ipoh’s history.

However, my favourite one is the 3D Trishaw Mural on Market Lane. Its ingenuity lies in this mural sticking out of the wall, so guests can interact with it by sitting in the rear of the trishaw for an iconic photo. This mural depicts a man carrying garbage and firewood on his rickshaw, representing Ipoh’s heritage.

Visiting the murals is one of the best things to do in Ipoh, but don’t forget the stunning limestone caves that cover the region!

Kuala Lumpur

Like many cities in Malaysia, street art is plentiful in Kuala Lumpur. Beneath and between the fascinating modern and colonial cityscape, Kuala Lumpur has some of the best street art in Asia.

Street art in Kuala Lumpur ranges from aesthetic art to scenes with subtle social or political messages. For me, most of the art is simply appealing, adding colour and character to what is ultimately another large and busy concrete jungle.

There isn’t a single place for street art in Kuala Lumpur. Visual art is scattered throughout the city, and the prevalence of urban art in Malaysia has become a tourist attraction in its own right. In Kuala Lumpur, my favourite areas for street art are Chinatown and the centre of Bukit Bintang.

The streets around Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor in particular, have become especially popular for street art. Between the expensive restaurants and shops, buildings and streets are painted brightly. The vibrant scenes are an attractive reprieve from the hustle and bustle of big city life in fascinating Kuala Lumpur.

Penang

George Town in Penang is one of the best places in Malaysia to visit for street art. It is packed with urban works of art from artists, including Ernest Zacharevic, which are included in my 3-night itinerary of things to do and see in George Town.

The influential Lithuanian artist has created the most well-known pieces of street art in Penang, which draw tourists to this once rundown and unloved city.

In 2012, the local government appointed him to transform the barren and decaying buildings in George Town into an outdoor gallery. The vision was to depict the life and times of the Malaysian people through art.

Zacharevic’s success was better than expected, and George Town was propelled into the spotlight.

“Boy on a Motorbike” and “Boy and Girl on a Bike” are his most photographed street art pieces. A mixture of solid items and paint creates a unique 3D illusion, not something I have seen anywhere else.

It can get hectic as tourists queue to capture selfies alongside the murals, so my tip is to go and see them at night when it is quieter (and cooler). I got some great photographs without any queues!

You could probably see all the street art in one day if you are limited in time, but if not, spread the viewing over several days to appreciate some of the best wall paintings in Asia.

Best Street Art in Myanmar

Yangon

It might not be top of the list when it comes to street art in Asia and definitely doesn’t brush shoulders with the likes of George Town or Phuket, but Yangon, the bustling epicentre of “off-the-tourist-trail” Myanmar, has its own mural-induced charm.

The city, better known for its street food and buzzing traffic and markets, has a little secret: the ‘Street Art Alleys’ tucked away behind the chaotic lanes.

You won’t find epic graffiti or elaborate urban art pieces here. Instead, street art is almost childlike, created by a mix of local and international artists more as a kid’s playground than a cultural statement. That’s because of the purpose of the alleys.

Initially filled with trash, a local organisation called Doh Eain decided to convert one of the back alleys into a ‘garden’ full of vegetables and added a few swings as a safe place for children to play.

Local street artists painted murals to make it more appealing, and when news outlets got wind of it, the alleys (and the art) started to garner more fame.

Nowadays, you’ll find 6 ‘official’ alley gardens with many more in planning.

Most of the alleys stretch between 29th Street and 42nd in downtown Yangon, the city’s beating heart, and are relatively easy to find if you watch out for the signs.

Best Street Art in Singapore

Singapore

Street art in Singapore took me quite by surprise. In areas such as Kampong Glam, China Town and Little India, the barren walls and shop fronts had been transformed into colourful works of art, but nothing had prepared me for how much urban art there was all over the city.

Skyscrapers and beautifully tended gardens were juxtaposed against narrow streets vying for the attention of tourists. We had added Haji Lane to our itinerary of things to do in Singapore during our 2-night stopover and found it to be one of the best places in Singapore to see street art.

Singapore’s famous monochrome sultan portrait above the Singapura Club was created by one of Singapore’s leading street artists known as Ceno2 and is a magnet for tourists.

Each cultural area in Singapore delights you with urban art, and in China Town, we came across the mural below, created by Yip Yew Chong, which depicts Old Singapore. Chong has many pieces on display in China Town, and many have a 3D feel, similar to pieces of street art I have seen in Penang.

Street art tours are available to show you hidden spots away from the tourist trail, but should you decide to wander the streets on your own, you won’t get far before stumbling on an incredible piece of urban street art in Singapore.

Best Street Art in South Korea

Seoul

If you are an art buff or a café hopper, there is no way that you won’t immensely enjoy your time in Seoul, South Korea. 

The city is famous for its hip and trendy coffee culture, contemporary art development, and a vibrant and rising K-pop landscape – all these have created a platform for artists to experience art, and a unique combination of progressive and expressive styles has been shaped rapidly in the last decade.

You can check out street art everywhere in Seoul. Head to one of the modern art galleries in Anguk, Itaewon, or Gangnam, where it celebrates the creativity of up-and-coming local artists in different forms. 

If you want to go deeper, venture to some lesser-known neighbourhoods in Seoul, like Mangwon-dong, Seongsu-dong, or Hannam-dong. These areas are great examples of urban renewals filled with stylish cafes, boutiques, and shops and feature striking street art and mural paintings around many corners. 

Seongsu-dong is now nicknamed “the Brooklyn in Seoul”, drawing a lot of tourists and social media influencers to share their photogenic moments with the world.

As if It’s still not enough, head to the outskirt of Seoul as you will find many art villages (like Mullae Art Village and Heyri Art Village) that are perfect for including as one of the many day trips from Seoul you can do.

Best Street Art in Taiwan

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s third-biggest city, located in the south of the island and is famous for having many large and skillfully painted murals. We thought the street art here was some of the most creative and colourful we have ever encountered on our travels, and we love the boldness and quirkiness of the designs.

Kaohsiung is one of our favourite street art cities. The local council embraces the scene with a policy dedicated to enhancing the urban environment with colourful street art.

Two of the best spots in Kaohsiung to see examples of this urban visual art are at the popular tourist destination Pier 2 Art Centre – a regenerated harbour-side hipster hangout and at Weiwuying Street Art Village in the Lingya district.

The Weiwuying Street Art Village is the largest community for street art in Taiwan, and the district is full of colourful artwork across walls, rooftops, pavements and even phone boxes.

Most of the street art here is created by a team of local artists known as “The Wallriors”, founded in 2016 and who regularly update their Facebook page with updates of their work.

 Ximending

Ximending is the coolest neighbourhood in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan.

The pedestrian-only shopping district is filled with bubble tea & cosplay cafés, open-air tattoo parlours, LGBTQ+ bars, trendy restaurants, and loads of street art. The great thing about this area is that it is one of several legal street art zones designated by the city government. 

The best murals in Ximending can be found on America Street and on the walls around Taipei Cinema Park.

An organisation called the Taipei Youth Art Centre accepts proposals for new works and then takes them to property owners for permission. The city government also sponsors street art and dance competitions in the area. 

The street art in Ximending expresses a uniquely local flavour, with themes like futuristic cities, robots & superheroes, and traditional Mandarin characters.

Artworks can be seen by big-name local street artists like Mr Ogay and international ones such as Alex Face from Thailand. 

Best Street Art in Thailand

 Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has incredible chilled digital nomad vibes and an insane amount of temples. When we visited in 2018, we didn’t expect to see as much street art as we did. It was such a pleasant surprise!

Chiang Mai has many different street art styles, varying from one part of the city to the next. You can find some awesome street murals in the Old Town, Nimman, Eastern and Western Chiang Mai, and on the walls of the US consulate.

Our favourite murals were located in the Old City. It was such a cool experience to see the contrast between this traditional Thai town with its temples, city fortress walls and old roads, and the new vibes that street art brings to the city.

In Chiang Mai, you’ll see the works of local and international street artists such as Alex Face, Bonus TMC, Bon, Sanchai, Mauy, Waris, and Kanaet, to name a few.

Although most people don’t come to Chiang Mai for street art, to us, it was a bonus that made our stay here even more special! 

Phuket

When I visited Phuket, I only expected to see temples and beaches, I didn’t expect it to have a thriving street art scene!

There didn’t seem to be one particular style. Some were small motif-style pieces, other pieces were gigantic murals, and some were interactive. The one thing they did have in common was that they were so colourful.

The hub of street art in Phuket is in the centre of the Old Town. You’ll find artwork pieces donning almost every street around here, so you won’t have to walk far to find loads of it.

There are pieces of work by local and national artists, including Alex Face, Rakkit Kuanhavej, 4Studio and Mue Bon. Creating these stunning pieces has brought many visitors to the Old Town; previously, most people would stay in Patong and never venture here.

With the influx of tourists, little independent shops and cafes have popped up, making this a charming area of Phuket compared to the westernised tourist-tat you find elsewhere on the island.

Best Street Art in Vietnam

Hanoi

Exploring Hanoi and discovering its street art was something I was looking forward to doing on my Vietnam trip.

Hanoi is not as well-known for its urban art as other Asian cities; however, it does have a blend of commissioned and free-style art painted on its walls and house fronts. Until recently, urban art has been kept underground in the city; however, recent government reforms have seen this form of creative expression appearing on Hanoi’s streets. 

One such legal commission was the joint street art project in 2018 between Vietnamese and South Korean street artists covering the walls between Hanoi’s railway arches. The murals are creative visual scenes evoking memories of Old Hanoi for locals and travellers.

I loved that some paintings were interactive and in a “Trompe-l’oeil” style similar to the street art I had seen in Penang. One mural had aprons available as props so the onlooker could become part of the artwork, a fun visual effect for photographs.

You can check out the nostalgic and fun murals at Phung Hung in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

There are many things to do in Hanoi, and exploring its streets is a great way of connecting with its growing urban art scene.

Tam Thanh Mural Village

One of Southeast Asia’s most unique and impressive street art projects lies in Central Vietnam.

Modelled on the street art villages of South Korea, which locals painted to bring tourism to forgotten areas of cities, this seaside village covered in urban murals aims to attract tourism from Hoi An.

Hoi An receives millions of visitors annually, yet the surrounding villages often don’t feel the financial benefit.

Tam Thanh Mural Village makes for a fantastic half-day trip from Hoi An. Not only will you explore the fantastic street art, but you’ll also support local livelihoods.

What I liked about the street art of Tam Thanh was the human focus. Many images are life-like rather than cartoon-style, showing the locals doing daily tasks like fishing and making clothes. We even spotted a real-life local posing beside a mural of himself!

Since the whole village is painted, there’s no particular street to look out for; you can wander and find the best bits!

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