Batu Ferringhi is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located along the northern coast of Penang Island and about northwest of the city centre, it is the prime beach destination in Penang among locals and tourists. To cater to the influx of tourists, several major high-rise hotels have been established along the stretch of beaches.
The beach resorts along Batu Ferringhi also offer various water sport activities, such as parasailing. On a clear day, one could get a picturesque view of the Andaman Sea and Mount Jerai, which is located within the neighbouring state of Kedah. In addition, Batu Ferringhi is famous for its night market that offers a wide variety of merchandise and street food.
There had been human activity within Batu Ferringhi as early as 1592, when an Englishman, Sir James Lancaster, arrived and began pillaging other vessels around Penang Island. However, for much of its recent history, Batu Ferringhi was a quiet village, until the urbanisation of the area beginning in the 1970s.
Etymology
left|thumb|The beaches of Batu Ferringhi, interspersed by rocky outcrops
left|thumb|[[Lovers' Isle off Batu Ferringhi]]
The word ferringhi or feringgi is the modern spelling of the Classical Malay word peringgi, originally used in reference to the Portuguese conquistadors before being applied to all people of European descent. It is cognate with the Thai farang, Khmer barang and Chinese '. All are derived from the Sanskrit word firangī (फ़िरंगी) which itself originates either from the Arabic ferringi or Persian farangi (فرنگی). In the Middle East and Africa, it originally referred to the Franks but came to include Europeans in general.
Batu Ferringhi, therefore, would mean the place where Westerners had come ashore, with the Malay word batu (meaning rock) referring to the rocky shoreline of this particular area.
Among Tamils, the area is known as Paringgi Malai meaning "foreigner's hill".
History
thumb|left|The former Boon Siew Villa at Shamrock Beach
James Lancaster, an English privateer, came ashore at this particular area in 1592.
Batu Ferringhi was one of the hardest hit areas during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that ultimately claimed a total of 52 lives in Penang.