Sophisticated, chaotic and dynamic, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia is a city of contrasts.. It has plenty of surprises and has many faces. The people are positive and good-natured and crime levels are low.
Jakarta attracts people from all over Indonesia, making it a melting pot of many cultures and groups. It offers a better quality of life and better business opportunities. Measuring 662 square kilometers, comprising of more than 10,000 islands, exploring this city without some help can be difficult. For a city with over 30 million people, there is very little information regarding the tourist attractions.
Get Familiar With Jakarta By Visiting These Places:
- PASAR SANTA
Pasar Santa is a traditional market at South Jakarta, that is now filled with coffee lounges, trendy shops, vintage clothing shops and vinyl record stores. It is the only place in Jakarta that has a hot dog stand, a Mexican cantina and a vegan sandwich shop. Most of the shops here sell all kinds of food, from sweet to savory, appetizer to dessert. It has over 350 kiosks and small shops.
Pasar Santa has spas offering artistic pedicures, dessert shops selling waffles, homemade ice cream and cute cupcakes . It also has a creme brulee shop, that looks like a laboratory and is seriously cool. It has beverage stands that offer everything from virgin mojitos to healthy herbal teas. Every weekend, there are new restaurants and shops opening up. It is a hipsters paradise in the middle of Jakarta and is a must visit for tourists and visitors. - MONAS
Monas is a 137 meter high monument, and serves as a symbol of Indonesia's independence. It was opened on 12th July 1975. It is Jakarta's most famous landmark and is the number one tourist attraction in Jakarta. The admission fee is ($1.25) and it is located in Merdeka Square.
Monas offers one of the best views in Jakarta. The lift can carry people to the top, which offers a stunning view of the city and the sea. The observation deck is open(8.00 a.m - 3.00 p.m) everyday(It is closed on the last Monday of every month). - NATIONAL MUSEUM (ELEPHANT MUSEUM)
The national museum is a geographical, historical and archaeological museum located right next to Monas. A ticket to the Monas observation deck also includes admission to the National Museum.
The museum has beautiful artifacts from all the Indonesian Islands( Masks, sculpture, pottery, Indonesian puppets, western furniture) There is a bronze statue of an Asian elephant in the front yard. The museum offers a glimpse into the rich culture, natural wonders and the colonial history of Indonesia. - KOTA TUA (OLD TOWN)
Kota Tua , a colonial Dutch district, is a relic of Jakarta's colonial past. Kota Tua is fascinating with stunning buildings leftover from the Dutch era. It shows how Jakarta was hundreds of years ago. It is a lovely place to walk around, have some street food and visit the museums.
On Sundays, the streets are filled with magic shows and people dressed in Halloween costumes. There is a museum called Wayang Museum, that is dedicated to Japanese puppetry. Due to the riots in 1998, much of Kota Tua is rundown, but it is still an interesting and captivating place. - ISTIQLAL MOSQUE & JAKARTA CATHEDRAL
Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. It was built in 1978 and is located at a walking distance from Monas. This mosque can fit thousands of people. It is possible to schedule a free guided tour of the Museum and the grounds.
Jakarta Cathedral was built directly opposite Istiqlal Mosque to demonstrate the tolerance between different religions in Indonesia. It is a beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral,and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta, This classic church is still very amazingly beautiful inside and outside. The cathedral has a Gothic influence and stunning architecture. It is very peaceful and a must visit for tourists.
