Things to do in Jakarta
The sprawling, dirty and confusing capital of Indonesia is an intoxicating collision of people, cultures and religions. As overwhelming as it is exciting, its attractions are mostly spread across various regions, making it difficult to know where to start as a tourist seeking worthwhile things to see and do.
A great starting point is Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini), which showcases the cultures and some of the treasures of the different islands and regions in the archipelago, giving visitors a good overview of the whole country. Here visitors can find recreations of famous temples and statues and examples of the architectural styles of different Indonesian cultures. A good way to get a sense of the layout of Jakarta is to pay a visit to the National Monument of Indonesia, the city's landmark obelisk, which travellers can ascend for impressive views, and which houses a small museum showcasing the fight for Indonesian independence. This is also one of Jakarta's main meeting points for locals and is a lovely spot to indulge in some people watching.
Those interested in the colonial history of Jakarta should stroll around Old Batavia, the rundown waterfront area surrounding Fatahillah Square, which was once the centre of Dutch rule in Indonesia. Although not well maintained this old district still boasts some 16th-century buildings and other unexpected relics. Other popular attractions in Jakarta include the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Indonesia, and the Museum Bank, a beautiful old building that once housed one of Indonesia's first banks and is now an intriguing banking museum.
If travellers are visiting with kids, they should be sure to check out Kidzania theme park, which is one of the city's most celebrated fun zones.
Jalan Jaksa
Jakarta's Jalan Jaksa district was once a famous backpacker area, where young adventurers could find much of what they needed for unforgettable, budget holidays. Students studying …
Jalan Jaksa
Jakarta's Jalan Jaksa district was once a famous backpacker area, where young adventurers could find much of what they needed for unforgettable, budget holidays. Students studying at the Jakarta Law Academy used to frequent the street and were perhaps the originators of the area's youthful flavour. Today its old bars, hostels, travel agents and second-hand bookstores have given way to gentrification through upscale condos and hotels, and a variety of eateries. It's still worth passing through Jalan Jaksa, though, as it's just a short walk from a lot of Jakarta's best tourist offerings.
Indonesia Miniature Park/Taman Mini
Indonesia is a vast place and it would take many holidays to explore the whole archipelago. A trip around Indonesia Miniature Park is useful and interesting because it offers sampl…
Indonesia Miniature Park/Taman Mini
Indonesia is a vast place and it would take many holidays to explore the whole archipelago. A trip around Indonesia Miniature Park is useful and interesting because it offers samples of the different cultures and architecture to be found on some of the islands, including replicas of famous landmarks. Contrary to its name, the park itself is not small and covers 100 hectares of land. It includes examples of traditional buildings and cultural artefacts from all of the 27 provinces that make up Indonesia. The park also regularly hosts food sampling, dancing and other cultural performances from each province.
Website www.tamanmini.com
National Monument of Indonesia
Visitors will inevitably be pulled to the National Monument (MONAS) and the enormous obelisk that is visible from much of the city. The first president, Sukarno, began to build the…
National Monument of Indonesia
Visitors will inevitably be pulled to the National Monument (MONAS) and the enormous obelisk that is visible from much of the city. The first president, Sukarno, began to build the structure as a symbol of nationalism, with an impressive weight of gold shaped into the tip's flames. For visitors it serves as a great landmark in an otherwise confusing city centre. Elevator rides to the top are available, providing a bird's eye view of the city. The monument and surrounding park are open to the public and there is a museum that documents Indonesia's fight for independence; there is also a hall of meditation at the monument's base.
Kota
Kota, also called Old Batavia or Old Town Jakarta, is the only surviving piece of the Dutch colonial district. The Dutch had their Indonesian heyday in the 16th century when Jakart…
Kota
Kota, also called Old Batavia or Old Town Jakarta, is the only surviving piece of the Dutch colonial district. The Dutch had their Indonesian heyday in the 16th century when Jakarta was at the centre of Asia's trade with the West. Today, many of the area's colonial buildings are falling into disrepair but the central cobblestone square, Taman Fatahillah, still invites visitors to imagine life in the 16th century, when there was little outside the colonial fortifications of Kota save for orchards and rice fields. The area is open to roam about in and there is no admission charge or distinct boundary to delineate the old district.