ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Architecture of Penang

Penang is a very special place because it has a lot of different types of buildings that can tell us about its history. Some of these buildings are very old and were made a long time ago, while others are new and have just been built recently.

One type of building you might see in Penang is called a shophouse. Shophouses are long, narrow buildings that have shops on the bottom and living spaces on the top. They are usually made of bricks and have pitched roofs. They were very popular in Penang during the 19th century and were used to house merchants and other business owners.

Another type of building you might see in Penang is called a colonial building. These buildings were built by the British when they were in control of Penang. They were made of stone or brick and were usually quite big. Some of them were used for important government offices or to house the wealthy British people who lived in Penang.

You can also see some Chinese temples in Penang. These are buildings that are used for worshipping Chinese gods and goddesses. They are usually very colorful and have lots of decorations on them. Chinese temples are an important part of Chinese culture and are found in many places around the world.

Finally, you might see some mosques in Penang. Mosques are buildings that are used for worship in the Muslim religion. They are usually quite big and have a tall tower called a minaret. Muslims go to the mosque to pray and learn about their religion.

All of these different types of buildings make Penang a very interesting place to visit and explore. They can help us learn about the different cultures and history that have shaped Penang into the place it is today.