Malaysia, Perak - Murals in Old Town

By Timothy Tan - March 19, 2016

Murals are generally artwork not painted on canvas but artful paintings on walls and buildings. I have always marvelled at murals and the artistry talents behind these beautiful art pieces. And if the murals are applied on old historical buildings, then the added charm of these building mixed artfully with the painted pieces truly bring out a magical feel of fairy tale proportions.

Dragon Dance mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

In my many trips to Ipoh's Old Town district, I usually spent a couple of quiet afternoons wandering through this part of the city that exudes charms from another era. Standing all over this area are old buildings dating back decades. Unlike other cities, these buildings are in no danger of being demolished to pave ways for modern skyscrapers. Therein lies the charm of Ipoh's Old Town. Over the past few years, many independent indie-style cafes have sprung up around the area. More often than not, these cafes tend to build around the architecture and old world style of the buildings that housed them, adding to the nostalgic feel of the area.

Apart from the cafes, the often worn out facades of the old buildings seem to have found a new purpose. Many beautiful and artful murals have been painted on these walls. The artistic talents of those who painted these murals are beyond doubt a class of their own. Walking through the district and enjoying the beautiful artwork all around is a joy in itself. It is almost like visiting an open air art gallery; one in which you can sit down and enjoy your favourite cup of coffee or tea whenever you feel like it and yet, still be able to enjoy art all around you.

Kids and Fighting Fishes mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Traditional Malay Musicians mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Kids at Play mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

People at work mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Panther and Buffalos mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Close-up view of the Panther and Buffalos mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Long-tailed Shama Birds mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Hornbill mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Teh Tarik mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

If you haven't yet been to Ipoh's Old Town, take a trip there and be magically transported into an era of time past.

Kid at play mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Kampung life mural, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Monkeys and Banana mural (the mandarin characters in this mural mean Happiness, Fortune and Luck - left to right) , Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2016)