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, becoming a way to express emotions across 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 apparent 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 once regarded in some circles as vandalism, it is now viewed by the majority as an art form. Artists often undertake commissions in urban areas where the local government is undergoing regeneration.

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 utilise mediums like spray paint, emulsion, permanent markers, and recycled materials. They use these to create their personal styles and techniques. Spray paint is the medium of choice for graffiti artists.

Which city has the most street art in Asia?

George Town, Penang – This Malaysian town boasts Asia's largest concentration of street art per capita.

Who is the most famous street artist in Asia?

The Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic gained immense popularity in Asia in 2012. This happened 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. Visitors queue around the block to have their photos taken beside it.

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

More recently, the artist Yip Yew Chong has brought the walls of Chinatown in Singapore to life with his delightful murals depicting heritage scenes.

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

In recent years, the annual Cambodia Urban Art Festival has played a crucial role. It provides canvases for budding local and international artists in the country. These artists can 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. This adds another layer of cool to this popular cafe and shopping haunt.

Cambodia’s Golden Age inspires some works and portrays 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. Murals, portraits, and landscapes now adorn the once-dull buildings and walls. These artworks have brought life to the traditional area of Old Town Central.

Check out the quintessential area near the famous Hollywood Road. Yes, that is its name. You will find a wide variety of delightful street art pieces there.

Be prepared to see a 20-foot portrait of Frank Sinatra. The portrait is alongside Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. This is just along the road from the ancient Man Mo Temple. It seems out of place, yet at the same time, it fits in, a strange concept.

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

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

Hong Kong boasts an active and diverse street art scene, making it definitely worth a visit.

Best Street Art in India

Delhi

With street art and graffiti capturing attention worldwide, Delhi, India's vibrant capital, is striving to keep pace with the world.

Khirki Village is one of the first areas to lend its barren walls to street artists.

Talented street artists from around the world have transformed New Delhi's neighbourhoods. From Hauz Khas to Lodhi Colony, they brightened these once dull areas. They have done this with their intriguing wall art. Places like Shahpur Jat, Tihar Jail, Arjan Garh Metro Station, and the Delhi Police Headquarters all showcase this transformation.

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

Discover the best street art in Delhi, located in Lodhi Colony. St+ART India, a non-profit organisation, united global urban artists. They collaborated to create the first open-air art museum in India, affectionately known as the Lodhi Art District.

My favourite is "Nature’s Arch and Visions of Altered Landscapes" by 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 merged the elements of the West, such as polar bears, with those of the East, like tigers. He integrated men and women and, of course, included the arched walkway. This illustrates the adverse effects of climate change while conveying a sense of hope and optimism.

 Mumbai

A small village called Asalpha is located on the slopes of the Ghatkopar hills. It was a hilltop slum, which nobody, except its residents, wanted to visit.

All that changed when the founder of a local design studio 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 goal was to change perceptions about slums. They aimed to give residents a reason to take pride in their community.

This urban work of art became the topic of discussion for many.

Asalpha is now a popular tourist attraction that has captured the attention of many. Several curated Mumbai day tours include Asalpha in their itinerary to allow visitors to witness the transformation firsthand.

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, renowned as the cultural capital of Java, boasts just as much history as it does religious significance, and this is evident in the artwork adorning its walls.

Whether political or religious, street art in Yogyakarta serves 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 is 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, including himself, 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 boasts an abundance of captivating street art, and among these gems is the Malay city of Ipoh, where street art flourishes.

This Chinese-influenced Malaysian city is adorned with many remarkable street art pieces scattered throughout its lanes. While there are many inspiring artworks, the most photographed pieces are undoubtedly by Ernest Zacharevic. His talent in 3D murals is unique, and like the street art in Penang that he is responsible for, Ipoh's ancient streets have been brought alive by his creations.

My top pick among the street art treasures in Ipoh is the captivating 3D Trishaw Mural on Market Lane. What sets this mural apart is its clever design, as it appears to emerge from the wall, inviting visitors to interact with it by taking a seat in the trishaw's rear, creating an iconic photo opportunity, which I took full advantage of. This piece serves as a poignant homage to Ipoh's rich heritage.

Exploring these captivating murals is one of the best reasons to visit Ipoh, but don't overlook the heritage museums in town, which tell the story of the tin mining history that put Ipoh on the map, or the breathtaking limestone cave temples that can be found just a short drive away from the centre of Ipoh.

Kuala Lumpur

Much like many other Malaysian cities, Kuala Lumpur is a haven for street art enthusiasts. Amidst the captivating juxtaposition of modernity and colonial charm that defines the cityscape of Kuala Lumpur, you can discover a treasure trove of some of the best street art in Asia.

The variety of street art in Kuala Lumpur spans from visually captivating aesthetics to poignant scenes that subtly convey social or political messages. Unlike some cities with designated zones for street art, in Kuala Lumpur, it is scattered across the city.

My preferred area for street art is Chinatown, where you will find the newly established Kwai Chai Hong Art Lane.

Nestled between heritage shophouses and in the shadow of the new Merdeka Tower is a delightful alleyway transformed by beautiful murals. Some even have props, like a barber chair, to allow you to interact with the art. These lively and captivating scenes offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, providing a delightful reprieve within the urban sprawl of Kuala Lumpur.

Penang

George Town in Penang is one of the top destinations in Malaysia for experiencing street art. It is packed with urban works of art by artists, including Ernest Zacharevic, which have become some of the most popular attractions in Penang.

The influential Lithuanian artist has created some of 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 exceeded expectations, and George Town was catapulted into the spotlight.

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

It can get hectic as tourists queue to capture selfies alongside the murals, so my tip is to visit 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.

Yangon

It might not be top of the list when it comes to street art in Asia and 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 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 akin to 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 the area more appealing, and when news outlets caught wind of it, the alleys (and the art) began to garner more fame.

Nowadays, you can find six ‘official’ alley gardens, with many more in the planning stages.

Most of the alleys stretch between 29th Street and 42nd Street in downtown Yangon, the city's beating heart, and are relatively easy to find if you keep an eye 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, Chinatown, and Little India, the barren walls and shop fronts had been transformed into colourful works of art, but nothing had prepared me for the extent of urban art throughout 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 and found it to be one of the best places in Singapore to see street art.

Each cultural area in Singapore delights you with urban art, and in Chinatown, we came across the mural below, created by Yip Yew Chong, which depicts Old Singapore. Chong has many pieces on display in Chinatown, 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 around, but should you decide to wander the streets alone, 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 and have a great Seoul itinerary, there is no way you won’t enjoy your first time in South Korea immensely. 

The city is renowned for its vibrant and hip coffee culture, contemporary art scene, and a thriving K-pop landscape – all of which have created a platform for artists to experience art. A unique combination of progressive and expressive styles has emerged rapidly over 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 you can celebrate the creativity of up-and-coming local artists in various forms. 

If you want to delve deeper, venture to some lesser-known neighbourhoods in Seoul, such as Mangwon-dong, Seongsu-dong, or Hannam-dong. These areas are great examples of urban renewal, filled with stylish cafes, boutiques, and shops, and feature striking street art and mural paintings around every corner. 

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

As if it’s still not enough, head to the outskirts of Seoul, where 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 the popular tourist destination, Pier 2 Art Centre – a regenerated harbour-side hipster hangout - and the 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 filled with colourful artwork on 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.

 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 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 such as futuristic cities, robots & superheroes, as well as traditional Mandarin characters.

Big-name local street artists, such as Mr Ogay, and international ones, including Alex Face from Thailand, are responsible for the artworks. 

Best Street Art in Thailand

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has incredible chilled digital nomad vibes and an insane amount of temples. We didn’t expect to see as much street art as we did during our visit, so it was a pleasant surprise!

Chiang Mai boasts a diverse range of street art styles, which vary from one part of the city to the next. You can find some incredible street murals in the Old Town, Nimman, as well as in Eastern and Western Chiang Mai, and on the walls of the US consulate.

Our favourite murals were located in the Old City. It was an incredible 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 visit Chiang Mai for things other than 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, others 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, small, independent shops and cafes have emerged, making this a charming area of Phuket compared to the Westernised tourist traps found 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, which covered the walls between Hanoi's railway arches. The murals feature creative visual scenes that evoke memories of Old Hanoi for locals and travellers.

I loved that some paintings were interactive and featured a "Trompe-l’oeil" style, similar to the street art I had seen in Penang. One mural even had aprons available as props, allowing onlookers to become part of the artwork and create a fun visual effect for photographs.

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

Hanoi offers a multitude of activities, and exploring its streets is an excellent way to immerse yourself in its vibrant 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 attract tourism to previously overlooked areas of cities, this seaside village, covered in urban murals, aims to draw tourists 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, depicting locals engaged in daily tasks such as fishing and weaving. 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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Are you looking for more street art inspiration? Please check out the following posts:

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Singapore Street Art: Where To Find The Best Murals

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