Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge Murals: Langkawi Street Art

Known as the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge, as well as the Kuala Melaka Bridge, for years the slightly dated structure has also been lovingly referred to, by more than a few, as the “Ugly Pink Bridge” when used as a casual reference point. But now, the more than twenty-five year old bridge is a showstopper, and for good reason.

Timed with LIMA 2025 and Visit Kedah 2025, this massive cement bridge has been reimagined as an open-air art gallery, featuring bold and beautiful murals inspired by the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. The official opening ceremony took place on May 19, 2025.

The Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge makeover is the work of 12 talented Malaysian mural artists, each bringing their own style to scenes that celebrate the island’s one-of-a-kind natural beauty and cultural heritage, with a focus on nature, birds, and marine life past and present. These murals highlight the unique features of the Langkawi Geopark, turning the bridge into a new tourist attraction that intertwines art with the island’s geological and cultural narratives.

The collaborative project was led by Creative Director Hardiana Hidayah and the National Art Gallery’s Langkawi branch, working alongside LADA, JKR Langkawi, and several other community partners. But it’s more than just a beautification effort, it’s a thoughtful blend of art, identity, and tourism.

Using Art to Bridge the Gaps

This isn’t the first time a Langkawi bridge has served as a canvas for artistic expression. In 2020, thanks to a collaboration between LADA, the Langkawi Municipal Council, and the National Arts Station, the Langkawi Street Art 2.0 project had several local graffiti artists depict themes of history, legends, and myths on the Sungai Kuah Linear Park bridges in Pandak Mayah, Kuah.

This latest mural project is a reflection of Malaysia MADANI values, celebrating culture, community, and nature through art. Malaysia MADANI is a vision introduced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. It’s built around six core values: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, and compassion. Now local artists have a space to shine, it invites residents to feel a renewed connection to their surroundings, and offers visitors a unique way to engage with Langkawi’s real story.

How long did this fabulous beautification project take?

Well, the pre-project prep work, including cleaning, scraping, and base coating, had been underway for a couple of weeks. But the bulk of the upper bridge’s more detailed work was completed in a mind-boggling six days, just in time for LIMA 25, Langkawi’s biennial international airshow. Much of the bridge was painted from dizzying heights using man-lifts. The process was completely mesmerizing for sea-level passersby like myself.

The 100-meter project was tackled by an upper team and a lower-level team, who worked simultaneously on their respective areas, with some overlapping camaraderie when extra hands were needed or when weather conditions disrupted the day’s plans. Overall, it was a well-organized effort marked by strong teamwork across the board.

Thanks to the commitment and countless hours of painting by these incredibly talented artists, including Creative Director Hardiana Hidayah (artbyhardiana), Dhiyaul M. Ashrah (Yaulacap), Mohamad Fakhri Mohd Salleh (Lowkey.Graff), Muhammad Izwan Rahimi (IzwanOnly), Muhammad Firdaus Musa (D. Moses) and Muhammad Riduan Raja Yunus (SM Raja), to name a few, and their tireless crew of assistants, the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge now stands as a testament to the power of community-driven art in enhancing public spaces and celebrating cultural heritage.

Visitors crossing the bridge or taking the small road beneath its southern end are now treated to a visual journey that captures the essence of Langkawi’s natural wonders and storied past. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the island.

Next time you’re in Langkawi, don’t just drive over the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge. Take a moment to walk it and check out the murals. They show the history and natural beauty of Langkawi in a way you might miss if you’re just driving by.