Jakarta Travel Guide: Explore the Diverse Charms of Indonesia’s Capital
Jakarta, as the capital of Indonesia, blends historical charm with modern vitality, making it a captivating Southeast Asian city. Here, you’ll find ancient colonial architecture alongside bustling urban streets; a devout religious atmosphere coexists with lively local life. Whether you are a history and culture enthusiast or a traveler seeking new experiences, Jakarta can meet your expectations.
1. Preparation Before Travel
1. Visa: Visa on arrival, fee is 50 USD / 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah / 250 RMB, some counters only accept Visa payment.
2. Transportation: Download the Grab app for ride-hailing with fixed pricing; toll and parking fees are extra; cash payment is also an option.
3. Communication: For short trips, it’s recommended to buy the “Belt and Road” data package via the App Wuyouxing; for longer trips, purchasing a local SIM card is more cost-effective.
2. Best Time to Visit
Jakarta has a tropical climate. The dry season from May to September offers relatively cooler weather and less rainfall, ideal for travel. You can fully enjoy outdoor adventures and city sightseeing.
3. Must-Visit Attractions
1. Jakarta Old Town: One of the best-preserved Dutch colonial architectural complexes in Southeast Asia. The core area is Taman Fatahillah Square, surrounded by the Maritime Museum, Wayang Museum, Puppet Workshop, Textile Museum, and the century-old Cafe Batavia. You can leisurely explore it in half a day, perfect for photos.
2. Masjid Istiqlal: The largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the third largest in the world, accommodating 120,000 people. “Istiqlal” means “independence,” built to commemorate Indonesia’s independence struggle. The exterior looks ordinary, but the interior is grand and impressive, with 12 huge pillars supporting a 45-meter diameter dome that emits a soft green glow. Shoes must be removed before entering, and dress code follows “not tight, not transparent, not revealing.” Admission is free. After registering at the visitor center, a guide will provide a half-hour tour.
3. National Monument (Monas): Built in 1975, the tower is 137 meters tall with a golden flame sculpture on top. Tickets are available to go up the tower. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the mosque. The plaza is large; it’s best to avoid the midday sun. The site often hosts military parades and processions and is a landmark of Jakarta. Horse-drawn carriages are available at the entrance for a plaza tour.
4. Jakarta Cathedral: Located directly opposite the mosque, this Gothic-style building features three iron spires on top, resembling twin towers from afar. Inside, there are stained glass windows depicting Jesus Christ on the cross, wooden vaulted ceilings, Baroque-style statues, and a huge neo-Gothic pipe organ. Mass is held daily except Wednesdays and public holidays. Admission is free.
5. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah: Tickets cost about 15 RMB, open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This park showcases the culture and architectural features of Indonesia’s 27 provinces, allowing you to experience the country’s customs and natural and cultural landscapes in one place. It’s great for photo opportunities.
4. Signature Foods
1. Sate: Marinated chicken, beef, or lamb skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal, served with a special sweet and spicy satay sauce. It’s a representative Indonesian snack.
2. Nasi Goreng: Fried rice seasoned with soy sauce, shrimp paste, and other spices, mixed with chicken, eggs, shrimp, vegetables, and more, offering rich flavors.
3. Gado-gado: An Indonesian salad mixing various vegetables, tofu, and fried tofu puffs, topped with a rich peanut sauce. Refreshing and filling.
4. Rujak: A type of fruit salad with mango, papaya, pineapple, and other fruits cut into pieces and mixed with a special sweet and spicy sauce, offering a unique taste.
5. Accommodation Recommendations
1. Luxury:
◦ The Langham Jakarta: Rated 4.8, excellent location surrounded by skyscrapers, top-notch service and facilities.
◦ The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place: Rated 4.7, close to food stores and transportation, convenient for travel and dining.
2. Budget:
◦ Ibis Styles Jakarta Kemang: Affordable, clean and tidy rooms, basic amenities, great value for money.
◦ RedDoorz Plus near Bundaran HI: Convenient location near public transport, easy access to attractions.
6. Shopping Spots
1. Traditional Markets: Such as Tanah Abang Market, the largest textile market in Southeast Asia, where you can buy various unique clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Bargaining is encouraged, offering an authentic local shopping experience.
2. Modern Shopping Malls: Like Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia, featuring numerous international and local brands, food courts, cinemas, and entertainment facilities, fulfilling all your shopping and leisure needs in one place.
7. Important Tips
1. Respect local religious customs; pay attention to dress code and etiquette when entering mosques.
2. Jakarta’s traffic is congested; allow enough travel time. When using ride-hailing apps like Grab, double-check your destination and fare.
3. In crowded places such as markets and tourist spots, keep your personal belongings safe.
There is a historic cathedral in Central Jakarta. It is a European building and looks very majestic from the outside. It is still in operation and has holy meetings. Many believers come here to worship Jesus.
The Jakarta Cathedral is a very beautiful building with a very clever design inside. It is an ancient building and very beautiful inside. When I first arrived, there was a pastor preaching, so I went in and took a look. It's good and worth visiting.
Catholic Cathedral Jakarta, a place of worship for the Catholic religion but open to the non-Catholic public to visit with manners that must be obeyed such as maintaining order and not being noisy because many people are praying solemnly in the Cathedral and in Goa Maria on the back side of the church complex.
Jakarta Cathedral is opposite the National Mosque, across a road. When I went, the outside walls were decorated. People in twos and threes were visiting the church. The appearance of the church was like a double tower. There was a big space inside. There were many rows of seats in it. When I went, around three o'clock in the afternoon, a man was cleaning inside, a man was reading Sutras in his seat, and an old man was holy. Like the former worship, when I left, a woman came to light some candles for the Holy elephant. There were uniformed people on duty outside. I didn't know if I didn't notice when I went in. He didn't ask me where I came from, nor did he ask for donations, nor did I buy tickets. I took pictures inside and outside. No one stopped me. Maybe it was permissible. Now is the off-season tourism, may not be very formal.
The Catholic Cathedral in Jakarta, Indonesia, also known as the Messiah Cathedral (Jakarta Cathedral), was built in the 19th century. The entire building has a strong European neo-Gothic architectural style. There is a Catholic school next to it. The location of the church was also confirmed by the first president. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, Catholic missionaries had built a cathedral here. The original cathedral was opened in February 1810, but on July 27, 1826, a major fire broke out here, burning down the cathedral and 180 surrounding houses. After the fire, believers began to rebuild the church, but the church collapsed in 1890. Later, the believers continued to work hard and finally built the current cathedral, which is one of the landmark buildings in Jakarta. The elegant silver spire is a new building behind the main church, but it complements each other perfectly.
It is right across from the Istiqlal Grand Mosque. When you walk in, it looks like a European or Italian cathedral. There is a statue inside of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus. The cathedral is 60 meters high but not as big as the European cathedrals. There are stained glass windows around the building. The second floor is a museum.
It's worth visiting here. It's beautiful. It feels like a big church. It's suitable for playing. The whole feeling is good. There aren't many people. The church is Gothic. The greening is also good. The central courtyard is beautiful.
This is a country with very high religious beliefs. We must not go in loudly and noisily. We should not take photos with our cameras and feel the solemnity of the Democratic church quietly. The National Independence Memorial Tower is nearby. You can go up to the top of the tower. It is suggested that you go up at night. You can see the beautiful night scene of Jakarta and the National Museum. You can go on foot and finish your day.