Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is a sprawling cosmopolitan city where the modern and the traditional meet head on. There are fine museums and superb examples of colonial architecture, traditional temples and marketplaces as well as a plethora of antique shops, shopping malls, restaurants and discotheques.
The National Monument (Monas)
The National Monuments one of the many monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. The 137-metre tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kgs.of gold, and represents the people’s determination to achieve the freedom. It towers over Merdeka (Freedom) Square, and serves as Jakarta’s most prominent landmark. The monument is open to the public and houses a historical museum and meditation hall. An elevator carries visitors to the top, offering a bird’s eye view across the city to the sea.
Indonesian National Museum
Located on the west side of Merdeka square, the National Museum in Indonesia, if not South-east Asia. Established in 1778 by U.M.C. Rademacher under the auspices of the Batavia Association of Arts and Sciences, it offers historicals, prehistorical, archaelogical and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which date as far back as to the Stone Age. It has one of the most complete collections of bronzes and ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties.
The Museum has one of the finest numismatic collections in the world. The religious art section is filled statuary and sculpture salvaged from sites of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic edifices. Its collection of Cultural instruments, household utensils, arts and crafts provide an introduction to the life of the various ethnic groups which populate Indonesia. This museum is popularly known as Gedung Gajah or "Elephant Building" because of the stone elephant offered by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871, placed on the front lawn of the building.
Taman Ria Remaja Senayan
Located at Jalan Pintu VIII Senayan, this Park has a beautiful lake for boating, canoeing and paths for cycling. Other facilities for children include bumper cars, a miniature train and a merry-go-round. Evening entertainment features live music and popular local comedians. Open daily from 16.00 - 22.00 hrs, Saturday to midnight, Sundays and holidays from 08.00 – 22.00 hrs.
Satria Mandala Museum
The Museum of the Armed Forces displays exhibits on the development of the Indonesian Armed Forces, its role in the struggle for the nation’s independence, and other military relics. Open daily except Mondays.
Perintis Kemerdekaan Building and the Soerkarno-Hatta Monument
Both are located at Jalan Proklamasi 56, on the site of the former residence of the late President Soerkarno where the nation's Independence was proclaimed. By the Perintis Kemerdekaan Building stands the Soerkarno-Hattan Monument, in commemoration of the nation's first president and Vice President, who together proclaimed Independence on behalf of the Indonesian People. Open daily from 8.00 a.m.
Jalan Surabaya
This street is located in one of the city's 'upscale' residential areas and is well-known for its flea market. Stalls offer a wide range of goods, some of them antiquities, including ornate lamps, porcelain, brassware, handicrafts. Bargaining is necessary, as is the skill to distinguish true antiques from the 'instant antiques'.
Sunda Kelapa
Sunda Kelapa , also known as Pasar Ikan (Fish Market), is located in the far north of the city at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. This is where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu King dom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century. The fish catch of the day was auctioned in the early morning at the old fish market. The street leading to it was lined with shops selling all sort of shells, dehydrated turtles, lobsters and everything else the seafarer might need.
Dutch domination of Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia began from this area, and the remnants of Kasteel Batavia, an old fort and trading post of the Dutch East Indies Company, can still be seen. Sunda Kelapa is at present fisherman's wharf and in inter-island port. Tall masted Bugis schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer one of the finest sights Jakarta has to offer. They belong to one of the last fleets of sail boats in the world and still ply the seas between the islands, as they did centuries ago, carrying merchandise.
Indonesia in Miniature Park
The idea behind Taman Mini is to give the visitor a glimpse of the diversity of the Indonesian archipelago. In a single location. This extensive park represents Indonesia's 27 provinces and their traditional characteristic, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional architecture of the province. It has its own orchid garden varieties are grown. There is also a bird park with a walk-in aviary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants.
Of special interest at Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia. A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses contemporary arts craft and traditional costumes from the different regions of the country. Open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily.
Teater Imax Keong Emas
Also known as (Golden Snail Theater). Located in the Taman Mini is the Imax theater which presents "Beautiful Indonesia" on a gigantic screen using the latest Imax system. Not to be missed if you're visiting Taman Mini! Open from 11.00 hrs-17.00hrs.
Museum Komodo
Built in the form of the Veranus Komodiensis (the only pre-historic giant lizard found exclusively) on Indonesia's Komodo Island ), it exhibits dioramas depicting the amazing variety of fauna indigenous to Indonesia. Located at Taman Mini and open daily from 8.00 - 15.00 hrs.
Museum Perangko
The Stamps Museum at Taman Mini has an attractive collection of stamps once issued in the country over the years. The Museum is ideal for the philatelist. Open daily except Monday, from 08.00-15.00 hrs.
Ragunan Zoo
Jakarta's zoo is situated in the subsurb of Ragunan in the southern part of the city. Indigenous animals such as the Komodo dragon , tapir, Java tiger, wild ox and brightly coloured birds are given ample room in a lush tropical setting. For a taste of Indonesian families on an outing visit on a Sunday or holiday when the zoo is most crowded. Open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Orchid Gardens
This village in southern Jakarta is a protected area where the old rural life style of Jakarta is preserved. Condet is also famed for its fruit orchards.
Condet
Situated in the southeast of the city about 20 km from downtown, it is a memorial park dedicated to the six army generals and one army officers who were slain on October 1,1965, in an abortive communist inspired coup d'etat . The centerpiece is the Pancasila Monment with statues of the seven heroes, standing near the Old well in which their bodies were thrown after having been tortured and executed by communist militia squads.
Lubang Buaya Heroes Monument
Tropical bird lovers won't want to miss Pasar Burung at Jalan Pramuka with its amazing array of colorful, tropical birds, including the unique "perkutut" song bird, the pride of the Javanese people. Open daily from 9.00 hrs.
Pulau Seribu
This group of island scattered across the Java Sea to the north of Jakarta offers a heaven away from the bustle of city life. Golden beaches fringed with coconut palms line the sea; the surroundings waters are a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The multi-colored coral reefs are home to a phenomenal variety of tropical fish. The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan (Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat. Among the island developed for tourism, with bungalows, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities are; Pulau Bidadari, Pulau Ayer, Pulau Laki and Pulau Putri. Pulau Tanjung near Putri has an airstrip.
Jaya Ancol Dreamland
This group of island scattered across the Java Sea to the north of Jakarta offers a heaven away from the bustle of city life. Golden beaches fringed with coconut palms line the sea; the surroundings waters are a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The multi-colored coral reefs are home to a phenomenal variety of tropical fish. The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan (Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat. Among the island developed for tourism, with bungalows, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities are; Pulau Bidadari, Pulau Ayer, Pulau Laki and Pulau Putri. Pulau Tanjung near Putri has an airstrip.
Fantasy Land
The latest addition to Jakarta's growing recreation facilities is the Fantasy Land, a 9.5 hectare (23.75 acres) entertainment park located inside the Ancol Dreamland, and is great for kids. The park offers a number of restaurants and souvenir shops. It is open on Monday to Friday from 2 to 9 pm, on Saturdays from 2 to 10pm.
