Enjoy Jakarta
Jakarta is vibrant, friendly, with a fervent spirit
and a lively outlook. Culture, style, history, adventure
and sports are just a few of the elements of the city’s
enticing persona. Getting to know Jakarta is opening
the door to an amazing world of benefits. So let’s take
a quick tour around town, and experience some of the
city’s best feature.
Major attraction (Interesting places to visit) :
Sunda kelapa Harbor
The old port area of Sunda Kelapa remains today a busting
hub for those involved in the vibrant inter-island trade,
along with being a center of activity for fresh fish
auctioneers. Graceful Bugis phinisi schooners, the world’s
last wind-powered sailing fleet used for trade, still
berth at the quay as they have for centuries, receiving
and shipping out a wide range of the island bounty.
Best visited the early morning.
Pasar Ikan (Fish Market)
Located at the mouth of the Ciliwung river, this market
area bustles with activities related to the sea. The
Maritim Museum (Museum Bahari), situated at the harbor,
is housed in restored Dutch warehouse dating back to
the first trading post of the Dutch East Indies. Relics
of ship that ply the island are on display. The daily
catch from the sea is auctioned at the nearby public
fish market before 05.00am.
Taman Fatahillah (Fatahillah Square)
Located at the historic Old Jakarta Kota area, the Taman
Fatahillah square offers three of the city’s most interesting
museums. Once the heart of the colonial administration
in the 18th century, restoration in the 1970’s. A fountain
in the middle square once served as the main water supply
for the former colonial capital.
Museum Sejarah Jakarta (Jakarta History Museum)
Housed in the former Stadhuis, or Town Hall of Batavia,
the Jakarta History Museum features a rich cache of
memorabilia depicting the historical development of
the city. Of special interest is the collection of 18th
century furnishing and portraits of the former colonial
governors. The solidly built building was completed
in 1970 and used by successive government right up through
the 1960’s. Taman Fatahillah, Jalan Pintu Besar Utara
27, open Tuesday - Thursday, 9am to 3pm, Friday and
Sunday, 9am to 2pm. Saturday, 9am to 12.30pm. close
on Mondays.
Museum Wayang (Puppet Museum)
This Museum is dedicated to puppetry of Indonesia’s
most famous traditional art forms. On display are the
wayang kulit shadow puppets from Java and Bali, along
with a wide range of three-dimensional puppets and special
dance mask. Wayang performance is presented here on
Sundays, beginning at 10am. Taman Fatahillah, Jalan
Pintu Besar Utara, visiting hours are the same as Jakarta
History Museum above.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia
in Miniature)
Located a conveniently 30 minutes drive from the city
center, the 300 hectares Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
or Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature offers an exciting
tour of the 33 provinces, with sampling of the more
than 250 cultures which inhabit the archipelago. Highlight
features of the park include the Museum Indonesia, a
large Bird park and spectacular Imax features film on
Indonesia. Open daily, 8am to 4pm. Take the Jagorawi
toll road until you see the TMII sign.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland Amusement
park)
This vast 300 hectares, ocean side-park is Jakarta’s
best entertainments area for all ages. Daily lively
performances of sea animals, a safe lagoon for boating
and swimming and a wide range a water sports facilities
attract thousands of local and international visitors
everyday. The grounds include a number of restaurants,
hotels, and nightclubs. Ancol main-gate is open 24 hours.
Museum Tekstil (Textile Museum)
A vast collection of the textiles related to the religious
and social practices of the major island of the archipelago
are housed in this museum. The collection includes cotton
and silk batik, intricately woven ikat (tie-and dye
or pelangi) and a variety of traditional weaving instruments.
Jalan KS Tubun 4, opens Tuesday - Thursday 9am to 4pm,
Friday : 9am to 11.30pm, Saturday : 9am to 1pm. Closed
on Mondays.
Museum Nasional (National Museum)
The National Museum is the largest repository of the
nation’s heritage. Behind the classical façade, the
museum houses vast collections of prehistoric, ethnographic
and archeological artifacts, including one of the world’s
largest collections of South East Asia ceramics and
Hindu Javanese art. The museum was opened in 1868 by
Batavia Society for Art and Science. Jalan Merdeka Barat
12, open 8.30am to 2.30pm (except Friday to 11.30am
and Saturday to 1.30pm)
Pasar Rawa Belong - enjoy an early morning
aroma of floral fragrance
Pasar Rawa Belong is a well known market for many kind
of cut flower. If you’re crazy about flowers, then you
should come to this heavenly flora. This market comes
alive as early as 2am. Distributors flock with varieties
of flowers. From a distance one could smell the intense
aroma of fresh flower scents mixed in a array of colorful
display. At 4 in the morning, the flowers are put on
display not only in kiosk but in minivans as well. You
will not find a better place to buy fresh flower anywhere
else in Jakarta with extremely affordable prices. By
7 in the morning all the flowers would be gone.
Over the years, many foreigners especially from the
embassies come here frequently. Don’t be surprised that
a small kiosk can earn big by exporting the local’s
favorite such as orchid and “sedap-malam’. If you speak
Sundanese, you will have an advantage to bargain as
majority of the owners here come from West Java. This
market is also a place for many re-sellers to shops.
Pasar Rawa Bening, enjoy the glitter, make
you self wealthier !
There are about 1000 kiosks, piled up with stocks of
the blind bamboo, and ribs of mermaids. The big buyers
mostly appear on Saturdays and Sundays. For their personal
adornment the Chinese like more traditional patterns
on their ring and prefer gems like the garnet, Garut
of sapphires from Sri Lanka. The Arab and native Indonesian
customers take home with them jewelry made from silver
and studded with diamonds from America. Most of the
products here reflect upon Indonesia’s historical background.
There are the famous keris (old and new) which have
a strong influence among the Javanese people, black
bracelets made of tree roots (akar gelang) and Arab
oil used for the purpose of cleaning superstitious belongings
(keris, stones, etc). Overall this market is the place
to accommodate the needs of Indonesian dukuns (witch
doctors and psychic fortune tellers) to buy their needs
for offering.
Pasar Senen, enjoy traditional delicacies
One of Jakarta pioneer markets, Proyek Senen traces
its origins to the 19th century. Today, it is sought
for its second-hand book stalls and vehicle spare-part
retailers that also perform on-site repair work. The
age-old wet market is still in business, selling meat,
fish, groceries, and fresh products. Between two and
five o’clock every morning, a mass trading of fog and
snacks takes place in the market place for resale throughout
the city. More modern shopping convenience can be found
in the department stores next door and sophisticated
Atrium Senen Triangle.
Pasar Senen sells varieties of meat, vegetables, fish
and dry food. meat pork, a non-halal meat that is rarely
sold in traditional wet market in Indonesia could be
found at this location. Pasar Senen is well-known as
the place for many traditional and western cakes, which
is sold in a very deep and wide assortment. This location
is well known as the main market of spare part for automobiles
in Jakarta.
Pasar Tanah Abang
Tanah Abang market is well known as a central market
of fashion and textile. The activity at this market
is combination of retail and wholesale activity. We
would have a better price if we buy more. The assortment
is very wide and deep. Tanah Abang market started of
about 300 years ago as an animal market. Occupying a
recently renovated three-story commercial building,
it also spills over to the hundreds of street vendors
sprawling in the area. These small stalls sell mainly
textiles, apparel, carpets and draperies, although one
can also find imaginable merchandise, home accessories,
kitchenware, shoes, firecrackers and even rifles’, fruits,
soft drink and snacks.
The bazaar takes up not just the sidewalk but also
part of the road, so traffic here is often crawling.
Bargaining is encouraged despite the already attractive
priced. These day is one would see a major change at
this busy dwelling, traders from South Africa roam the
small aisle in search of items that they purchased and
export it back to their respective countries to be sold
for profit.
China Town
Passing by China Town which is also called "GLODOK"
and of the oldest part of Jakarta. It is one of the
busy district in Jakarta with a historical building.
A bustling commercial centre, Glodok still offers a
glimpse of a way of life that has changed little for
generations. But China Town main attraction has a lot
to do with food, ranging from steaming dumplings sold
in hawkers stalls by the sidewalk to bowl soup noddles,
peking duck and frog legs, specialities of restaurants
tha have existed for generations.
Bogor Botanical Garden
It was built in 1817 by Prof. G. Reinwardt on 200 hectare
area, the best known botanic garden area for tropical
plants in the world will amaze you with more than 15.000
plant species. You can see as well the President Palace
from this place.
Puncak
It is a mountain resort which has a beautifiul landscape
surrounded by teaplantations and magnificent view of
the valleys. It is a good place for relax with a wide
view around while having a stop by for having lunch
/ tea break.
National Monument
Its popular name is MONAS (the abreviation of Monumen
Nasional). It was built during the first President era.
Standing at 137 meters height, it is capped with 50
kgs flame of gold. Visitors can climb to the top and
get a bird's eyeview of the city.
Seaworld
Come get your hand wet. Where fearsome sharks, graceful
fishes and bizzarre sea creatures swim within touching
distance. The OCEANARIUM (See the fresh
water aquariums with different kinds of colorful fishes
from all over Indonesia.
Safari Park
Going downhill to Safari Park, we will pass the typical
Sundanish Village which offer tropical Indonesian fruits
in cheap price. Staying with friendly animals roaming
around your car and staring at the funny habits they
do will be an exciting trip through the park. Teh baby
Zoo is another interest where you could hold the lion
cubs, orangutans, tiger and elephants. Duration of tours
on Sundays / public holidays might take longer time
due to traffic jam around the park area.
Recommended Shopping (Shop till You drop)
Whether you are a serious spender or half-hearted shopper,
there is sure to be something for everybody in Jakarta,
the Country's Shopping Capital. Catering to diverse
tastess and pockets, the wide variety of things tha
you can buy in Jakarta is mind boggling from the best
of local handicrafts to haute couture labels.
- Pasaraya Block M : the most complete handicrafts
centre
- WTC Mangga Dua (north of Jakarta) : Quality products
manufatures in Indonesia
- Sarinah Thamrin : Jakarta's for most Department
Store
- Sogo Plaza Indonesia (adjacent to the Grand Hyatt
in the city centre) : Good boutiques design (import
products) of the first brand names from outside of
Indonesia
- Plaza Senayan & Plaza Semanggi (in central
Jakarta)
- Kelapa Gading Mall (east of Jakarta)
- Pondok Indah Mall (south of Jakarta)
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