PHOTO GALLERY: Working Rickshaws of Malacca and Penang, Malaysia

2015/04/06

Rickshaw parked in Penang

PHOTO GALLERY:

Working Rickshaws of Malacca and Penang, Malaysia

Malacca and Penang are two historic towns that rose to fame and glory during the Asian trading route days of the 1880s. Both towns are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, full of beautiful colonial architecture, old Chinese shop houses, temples from many faiths and a huge mix of cultures, including Indian, Chinese, Malay and European. Tourists flock to these towns for a dose of historic culture, gorgeous architecture and delicious foods.

photos of Rickshaws on Aceh Street - Penang

Rickshaw on Aceh Street – Penang

Amidst all the historic buildings, narrow roads, elaborate temples and bustling commerce, an ancient mode of transportation still clings to life. Rickshaws, pedal-powered taxis, provide open-air seating for passengers while the driver cycles them to their destination or gives them a tour of town. Nowadays rickshaw drivers primarily earn a meager living by giving visitors a town tour.

Malacca and Penang’s colorful rickshaws, while basically the same, do have some obvious differences. Penang’s rickshaw drivers pedal from behind the seats whereas Malacca’s operating system sits beside the customers.

But the most glaring difference is in style and decore. Penang’s rickshaws range from plain to lightly decorated with plastic flowers umbrellas and vibrant colors. Malacca’s rickshaws, on the other hand, are so outrageously decked out that you have to see them to believe them.

Here are 12 photos of rickshaws to introduce you to these charming rigs and their drivers, who still ply their trade amidst motorbikes, cars, taxis, buses and modern life.

SEE Photos of Rickshaws

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