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.
This is nice place with the colonial buildings and a good spaceous square. Its surrounded by good cafes and restaurant. I enjoyed staying at a restaurant cafe to enjoy the view.
I visited Kota Tua last August, and it was an incredible experience. The area's colonial architecture and historical charm made it feel like stepping back in time. As I wandered through Fatahillah Square, with the grand Jakarta History Museum at its heart, I could easily imagine what life must have been like during the old Batavia days. The square was bustling with people, performers, and local vendors, adding a lively touch to the atmosphere.I also visited the Museum Bank Indonesia, which gave me a deeper appreciation of Jakarta’s history and its role in the region. The cobblestone streets and old buildings created a perfect setting for leisurely exploration.What I enjoyed most was the blend of history and modern life. While the historical landmarks told stories of the past, the area was filled with artists, street food vendors, and vibrant energy. Visiting Kota Tua in August was like experiencing the spirit of Jakarta's rich heritage, and it’s a place I highly recommend for anyone interested in the city’s past.
cute and quaint little spot in the old town heart of jakarta, (previous) capital of the beautiful and splendid Republic of Indonesia. bustling kn the weekends
No money is needed in the old city of Jakarta, that is, the local residents concentrated living area, like the domestic dirty old market 😂😂 It is not safe to go on the road, the traffic is very, very congested, and many online car-hailing can't go in and pull the order. It is not recommended to come to the old city to check in, just like it is not recommended to travel to Myanmar 😂😂
The old city of Jakarta is called kotatuajakarta. There is a transjkt station just outside the Chinatown of glodok, which is supposed to be the city of Manila. But the area of the old city of Jakarta is much smaller, mainly a large square, surrounded by museums. The old city has four entrances, each entrance has police to see, each entrance has several police. Each entrance to the square has a small section of road, there are paintings, fortune tellers, painted all over the earth or green, and then put a fixed position, in front of a plate for people to throw money. There are several guns on the side of the square. The most distinctive feature is that there is a white circular object in the center of the square, which is the well of drinking water used to be in the old city. The other parts of the square are empty, attacking people to play and take photos. By the way, there is an old tree which can be cut off beside the square. It can be seen that the age is long, but the old tree is not dead, and its advantages are tender buds, which shows its strong vitality. The square is surrounded by the National Museum of History, the Museum of Metallurgy and Ceramics, and museumwayang. I don't know how to explain this in Chinese. Tickets are required for visiting museums and tickets are exempted for playing in the square. This place is still worth visiting. It's good to take photos and have time to visit the museum.
Walking in the old city of Jakarta, the first thing you feel is the stuffiness, pollution and noise. The city planning is not very perfect, and dirty and smelly ditches can be seen everywhere. The street planning is a bit messy. There are still many simple bungalows in the city and suburbs that are made of wooden boards nailed together, covered with asbestos tiles, and can be used as a residence or a small shop.
Old Jakarta is made up of old colonial buildings on the square. Many meaningful museums in the city are located in this square, including the Puppet Museum, the Art Gallery, and the Judicial Building of the old prison. There is also the Batavia Cafe on the square. You can visit the History Museum or the Shadow Puppet Museum next to it. You can take a walk, sit and chat, and there are street performers singing or painting. If you want to feel lively, go there on holidays, it will be really lively.
There are several museums around the old town of Indonesia. The tickets are very cheap. You can walk around and learn about Indonesia. There is a Batavia coffee shop next to it, which is very suitable for taking pictures. The food is not bad, and the price is not cheap. A bottle of water costs about 20 yuan plus tax. The main reason to come to this square is to ride a bicycle and take pictures. If you see a group of students traveling, you can take a photo with them. They are very friendly to Chinese people. Remember to smile more and let them know that we Chinese are also very friendly and enthusiastic. If you have time, you can also take a ride in the sightseeing carriage outside. Forty or fifty yuan, you can go around until you get tired.