Introduction
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has many faces. From the scintillating
skyscrapers to the poverty-ridden slums, from the richly fragrant streets of
Chinatown to some of Asia's best golf courses, Jakarta is a city with many
layers; scratch one and you will find another, equally beautiful, equally
unexpected.
Here, you will be able to rub shoulders with the movers and shakers of Indonesia
and experience first hand their desire to race ahead of the times. Ask the
Indonesians and they will tell you that Jakarta is the place where dreams are
made. The city attracts Indonesians from the four corners of the archipelago who
come here to seek greener pastures. Populated with people from Sumatra, Bali,
Maluku, Kalimantan, Jakarta is melting pot of cultures, in fact, a mini
Indonesia in a nutshell.
Jakarta, like any other developing city, has a curious mix of the traditional
and the modern---one side of the city has people trading spices in a way that
has remained unchanged for centuries and on the other there are the tall steel
and glass skyscrapers that have changed the city's skyline beyond recognition.
Clinging to the city limits are people who find it difficult to make ends meet
and at the other end of the spectrum are the expats who cut multi-billion Dollar
deals in the lap of indefinable luxury. Jakarta, the city of wealth and poverty,
is bold, brash, and defiant and it is easy to be caught up in its simmering
energy.
Things to
see
The main tourist attractions are located in the center of the city. There are
many sightseeing trips that begin from here and then proceed to the historic
waterfront and the Kota district, and finally weave their way inland towards the
Gambir and Menteng districts.
Kota, considered to be the most attractive place of the city, is home to the
Jakarta History Museum, the Puppet Museum and the old port of Sunda Kelapa. The
inland dotted with a rich sprinkling of mosques and temples is testament to the
diversity and varied backgrounds of the people who inhabit Jakarta.
Kota: The centre of old Batavia, the Kota district, is the tourist hub of
Jakarta. The main action is concentrated in the historic Taman Fatahillah, a
cobbled square that seems to belong to another era. Visit Sunda Kelapa, the old
port area, and you can see the schooners returning from the high seas to trade
their exotic spices, a picture immortalized in Joseph Conrad evocative
descriptions. The brightly painted sailing ships are Jakarta's unusual
attractions.
Maritime Museum: Located in Sunda Kelapa, this museum which was until the
19th century a warehouse for the Dutch, is now home to the maritime museum.
Model boats and faded sepia photos bring to life the various adventures at sea
including the voyage to Jakarta from Europe via Aden. From the old watchtower,
you can take in the spectacular views of the surroundings.
Puppet Museum: The museum is a treasure house of puppets from Indonesia
and Southeast Asia. You can see an interesting collection of traditional
Indonesian puppets such as wayang kulit and wayang golek and enjoy puppets
shows, which are a regular feature of the museum.
National Monument (Monas): Towering over Merdeka Square, the National
Monument is Jakarta's most famous landmark. Standing at 132 meters and topped
with 35 kilograms of gold, this imposing monument is a symbol of Indonesia's
independence and strength. The Freedom Hall depicts Indonesia's struggle for
independence through a series of dioramas. You can take an elevator to the
observation platform and gain a bird's-eye view of the cityscape. At the base of
the National Monument is the National Museum.
National Museum: Considered to be the Jakarta's most impressive museum,
the National Museum provides interesting insights into the history of the city
and Indonesia. Exhibits here include early Chinese ceramics, pieces culled from
Java's myriad temples and a bronze elephant that was gifted to the museum by the
King of Thailand.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah: This sprawling 100-hectare park in Jakarta is
an interesting diversion. You can discover Indonesia's rich cultural heritage.
There are pavilions for each of Indonesia's provinces with displays of regional
handicrafts and clothing. There is a large 'lagoon' where you can row around the
islands of this archipelago or take in a bird's eye view from the cable cars.
Besides, there are museums, theatres, restaurants and a bird park with a walk-in
aviary. Ask the people of Jakarta and they will tell you that if you visit the
park then there is no need for you to go to any other part of the country. For
them the park 'is whole of Indonesia under one roof.' You can walk, drive your
own car, or take a free shuttle to go around the park.
Ragunan Zoo: Located 16 km south of the city centre in the Pasar Minggu
area, the Ragunan Zoo is home to around 4000 animals including the famed Komodo
dragons. The fearsome Java tigers are another highlight of this park. You can
spend a couple of hours just wandering around the extensive parklands,
rainforests, and a landscaped lake.
Taman Fatahillah: This beautiful Old Dutch quarter is home to some old
and ancient monuments. This is a great place to view some impressive colonial
architecture. The main attractions here are the oldest church in Jakarta, the
Gereja Sion and Si Jagur, the cannon which symbolized fertility.
Festivals
And Events The Jakarta Anniversary: Celebrated on 22 June, the
day marks the establishment of the city by Gunungiati back in 1527. The day is
celebrated with fireworks and the Jakarta Fair that continues until mid-July.
JI Street Fair: The fair features Betawi dance,
theatre, music and also modern performances. There are
street stalls that sell delectable food and souvenirs.
Besides, you can see art and photography exhibits.
Independence Day: Indonesia's Independence Day is
celebrated on 17th August and the parades in Jakarta are the
biggest in the country.
Accommodations
There are many good accommodation choices in all price brackets. The hospitality
sector rates accommodations in Jakarta under two distinct categories: The melati
(jasmine) system defines modest lodgings, whereas the bintang (star) system
ranks accommodations with more facilities. Under the star system, there are a
wide variety of hotels, apartments, conventional rooms, and penthouses. If you
are here for a longer stay, you can opt for budget hotels.
Jakarta's main commercial center is home to many monuments, museums, markets and
cultural centers. You can choose from a number of international chain properties
such as the Regent, Sari Pan Pacific, President Nikko Gran Melia, Le Meridien,
and Jakarta Hilton. The Grand Hyatt, considered to one of the greatest luxury
hotels in Jakarta is also located here. To the north of the Golden Triangle, is
the Borobudur Inter-Continental, the preferred choice of diplomats and guests of
the government.
Jakarta's downtown area in the South of the city caters to budget minded
travelers. You can check out the terra cotta Ambhara and the European-style Gran
Mahakam if you are here for a longer stay. You also have the choice of renting
traditional vacation villas along the beachfront. In the West of the city, you
can try out the Old Dutch quarters. Jalan Jaksa is a haven for the backpackers
where you can find comfortable but no-frills lodging.
Dining
options
Jakarta is a world-class culinary destination where you can enjoy ethnic
Indonesian and international cuisine and also interesting fusion foods with
global influences. Being a pre-dominantly Muslim country there is an abundance
of reasonably-priced halal fare. Jakarta has the best selection of restaurants
in Indonesia where you can eat anything from monkey meat in the streets of
Glodok to exquisite dining in international restaurants. Most restaurants and
eateries are expensive by Indonesian standards but the relatively low value of
the rupiah means you can enjoy fine dining at a fraction of the price it would
cost in other parts of the world.
Street food is very common in Jakarta and there is no dearth of warungs (food
stalls) and snacks vendors selling nosh, the quintessentially Indonesian satay
or bakso tok-tok (Chinese soup). Jakarta also has its fair share of
international chains and franchises. You'll easily find these in food courts and
in shopping malls such as Plaza Senayan, Taman Anggrek Mall, and Plaza
Indonesia. In some malls, you can actually see the food being prepared and you
can also sample different specialties before deciding on what you want to eat.
Restaurants featuring Indonesian cuisine can be commonly found in the city.
Popular dishes include spicy hot Padang food, delicious chicken from Kalasan in
Central Java, grilled fish from Ujung Pandang, and sumptuous Chinese seafood
dishes.
Jakarta offers diverse international culinary delights for all to experience.
You can try out American, Asian, Brazilian, British, Chinese, Deli, Dutch,
European, French, Greek, Indian, Irish, and Italian to name only a few. There is
also a good selection of restaurants serving these menus ranging from cheap to
expensive. Most fine dining restaurants are to be found in the five star hotels
concentrated in the Golden Triangle area as also in residences such as Kemang,
Menteng and Kebayoran Baru. Cafe Batavia, in the northwest of the city, provides
a memorable dining experience through its Hong Kong and Pacific Rim menus. In
Oasis, you will be welcomed with live gamelan music. The restaurant has an
interesting cuisine and a decent wine list.
The cafes located in Jalan Jaksa dish out standard travelers' fare ranging from
quasi-European to Indonesian. The rates are cheap and the breakfasts served are
of good value. The place is a good for the backpackers and the budget travelers.
Ya Udah is a popular and relatively upmarket hangout serving Western dishes and
a wide variety of pies. Pappa Kafe serves a wide menu including Indian food.
Memori has food similar to Pappa Kafe but in the evenings you can enjoy watching
American movies.
For a complete listing of restaurants in Jakarta, you can consult the AWA's
Jakarta Shoppers Guide and the Jakarta Dining restaurant guide.
Shopping
Shopping is one of Jakarta's biggest attractions. Clothes, shoes and bags are
very cheap, especially if they are locally made. Branded goods are also
available but are often no cheaper than the rates you would pay back home.
Jakarta is a great place to shop for handicrafts from all across Indonesia.
Electronic goods are considered to be good buys but you should be wary of cheap
copies. You can buy DVDs at bargain bin prices.
Jakarta is home to a number of swish air-conditioned malls such as Plaza
Indonesia, Jalan Thamrin, Plaza Seneyan, and Jalan Asia Afrika. For souvenirs
such as batiks, brass work and wooden carvings, browse through the flea market
at Jalan Surabaya in Menteng. It is always fun to browse through the flea market
but bargain like crazy--- the prices may be ten times higher than the actual
value.
Sarinah Department Store: This is a good place to shop for Indonesian
handicrafts. The entire third floor is devoted to batiks and handicrafts from
all over the country. The handicrafts are more for souvenirs than buying
collectible items and the prices here are reasonable.
Pasaraya: The store is similar to Sarinah but much bigger. The fourth
floor is completely dedicated to handicrafts.
Pasar Seni: Located at Ancol Recreation Park, this is also a good place
to shop for regional handicrafts.
Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua: This is a huge wholesale market with some of the
cheapest clothes, accessories, shoes and other goods in Jakarta.
Excursions
from
Jakarta
Jakarta is a good base for foraying deeper into Java or even
exploring the island of Bali. Gray Line (www.grayline.com)
offers day trips to Borobudur. Once you arrive in
Yogyakarta, you will be taken to the epic site itself with
the world famous temple complex. Gray Line also arranges for
tours to Bali. You'll be taken to the main sights on the
island, including the rice paddies and temples. This is a
full day tour and at the end of the day, you will be flown
back by a late flight to Jakarta. You can also opt for
longer tours.
Pulau Seribu, a group of around 130 islands, is just a
short boat ride away. Many of the islands, which are
accessible by tourists, have been developed by resorts.
These islands are well worth a visit for their white
beaches, calm seas, and the beautiful wilderness.
Nightlife And
Entertainment
Jakarta, inhabited by people from across the Indonesian
archipelago and beyond, is a melting pot of cultures and
therefore offers a wide range of entertainment options to
suit all tastes. For the latest events, films, special
events and concerts, you can check out the entertainment
pages of the Jakarta Kini, Jakarta Post, or Djakarta! If you
want to experience something really traditional, you can
witness Indonesian performances such as wayang kulit (shadow
puppet shows) and gamelan (traditional Javanese) music.
To witness Jakarta's cultural showcase, you can visit
Taman Ismail Marzuki where there is a performance nearly
every night. You can see Balinese dances, attend poetry
readings, or gamelan concerts. Another popular venue is the
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta where you can enjoy traditional
dance and theatre as also European classical music and
dance. The annual arts festival at the Jakarta Arts Building
also provides the perfect opportunity to see world-class
dance, music and theater performed by local and foreign
artists.
Jakarta is Indonesia's most broad-minded and
sophisticated city offering an impressive nightlife. There
are hundreds of bars, discos, karaoke lounges and nightclubs
ranging from sleazy to refined.
Bars and live music: Bands start around 10 PM or
11PM and continue until around 3 AM. Hotel bars are the most
popular and they seem to burst at the seams during weekends.
Burgundy, in Grand Hyatt, is the place for the who's who of
the city. Then there are the chain cafes like Planet
Hollywood, Newscafe, Fashion Café, and Hard Rock Café, which
are very popular during the weekends as well. Other bars
worth checking out include Pitstop Club in the Sari Pan
Pacific, Chequers in the Mandarin Oriental, and B.A.T.S. in
the Shangri-La. Jaya Pub is nothing less than a Jakarta
institution with live performers most evenings.
Discos: Tanamor is very popular among expatriates
and is Jakarta's best-known discothèque. It makes for a
great place for letting your hair down, especially on
Fridays and Saturdays when it pulsates with the excitement
of a full house. Other well-patronized discotheques include
the stylish Jalan Jalan, catering to the young crowd, and
Garasi, the favored haunt of financial executives and
stockbrokers.
Nightclubs and Karaoke bars: Jakarta has some
sophisticated clubs with high-tech lighting, massive sound
systems, and pumping dance music. The clubs open around 9 PM
but the action doesn’t really start until midnight. On
weekends, they are open till 4 AM or later. For some of
Jakarta's best nightclubs, you can head to Chinatown,
situated north of the city. Here you can find among others,
the Rap Club and Haze.
Weather
Jakarta is one of the hottest and most humid capitals in the world, so weather
is one of the most important considerations when deciding on a trip to the city.
The rainy season is from October to February and there is at least some rainfall
each day, often in short, torrential bursts. The average daily temperatures
range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 31 degrees Celsius).
Getting there By Air: Soekarno Hatta Airport (www.angkasapura2.co.id), Jakarta's
international airport is located 35km west of the city centre. A toll road links
the airport to the city and the journey takes around one hour. The airport has
two terminals and twin runways.
Airport facilities include currency exchange, business lounge, bars, souvenir
shops, telephones, ATMs, car rental offices, and a tourist information desk for
arriving passengers.
Transport to the city: Damri airport buses depart every 30 minutes to
various destinations within the city centre. You can also book taxis at the
counters in arrivals or outside arrivals. It is better to negotiate the price
before setting off, don't be afraid to ask several taxis before deciding on the
best priced one.
By Rail: Jakarta's four railway stations, Kota, Gambir, Pasar Senen, and
Tanah Abang, are all quite central. The largest and of most convenient is Gambir
Stasion on Merdeka Square, which serves destinations to the east such as
Yogyakarta and Surabaya. For express trains, tickets can be bought in advance at
the booking offices at the northern end of the Gambir train station; at the
southern end, you can buy tickets for the day of departure.
By Road: Jakarta is well connected with the other main cities on the
island of Java but congestion can be a serious problem. There is a ring road
around the city and there are toll roads that connect Jakarta with Bandung.
Getting Around
It is hot and humid in Jakarta and walking is never really a good option for
distances longer than a few blocks. It is advisable to use some other form of
transport.
Buses: Jakarta has a comprehensive bus service that links all parts of
the city. But the buses can be overcrowded and you also have to keep an eye out
for pickpockets and bag slashers. The more expensive buses are safer and also
more comfortable.
Car Hire: You can easily hire a car from any of the travel agencies. There
are also a number of transport guys who hang around JI Jaksa who can really give
you a good deal. Negotiate with these people directly to avoid commissions to
hotels and travel agencies.
Taxis: You can easily find metered taxis to throughout the city but make
sure that they turn on the meter. Bluebird cabs have pale blue taxis and a good
reputation.
Bajaj Autos: These are the Indian three wheelers that can carry two or
three passengers. They are good value especially during the rush hours. Hard
bargaining is required.
