Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi is the most famous stretch of beach in Penang. This is where you find a big concentration of beach resorts. From the mid 70's to the early 90's, the Batu Ferringhi stretch saw massive construction as hotels line the shore one after another. In their wake are highrise condominiums offering splendid views of the sea overlooking the mainland. On a clear day, you can see Kedah Peak, also known as Gunung Jerai.

The word Ferringhi, often variously spelled as Ferringhi and Ferringhi, is said to originate as the Malay term for a person of Portuguese descent, but eventually came to embrace all Westerners. This word however, is not particular to the Malay language. There is a strong possibility that it is derived from Arabic, as the word feringgi is used as far afield as Ethiopia to mean a Western foreigner. The word further mutates to "farang", the Thai term for a Western foreigner. The name Batu Ferringhi would therefore mean the rocky promontory where the Western foreigner landed - a name that is uncannily appropriate to this day.

Like much of the northern coast of Penang, the shore has beautiful stretches of white sand dotted with huge boulders. During weekends, you will see local people coming here to picnic and anglers come to fish. The sea water, however, is not clean enough for swimming, and is likely to be infested with jellyfish.