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Jakarta, IndonesiaJakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jakarta_Panorama.jpg
Author: Gunkarta
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Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is also the biggest city in the country and in Southeast Asia, with a population of close to 8.5 million people. It is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Java, covering an area of 661 square kilometers (255 square miles). It is the biggest city within the Jabodetabek Metropolitan Area, which includes Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.

Istiqlal Mosque, JakartaJakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Istiqlal_Mosque_Minbar.jpg
Author: Gunkarta
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Jakarta traces its history to the 4th century AD, when it was a port settlement for the ancient Kingdom of Sunda (AD669-1579). It was made the capital of Dutch East Indies, and following independence after World War II, it became the capital of modern Indonesia. The city has been known by various names over the long course of its history, including Sunda Kelapa (AD 397-1527), Jayakarta (1527-1619), Batavia (1619-1942) and Djakarta (1942-1972).

Jakarta is administratively divided into five districts namely Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta Barat, Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta Timur and Jakarta Utara. It is a city of great contrast, home to both obscenely wealthy and the appalingly destitute. Gleaming skyscrapers stand within a stone's throw from ramshakle slums. Visitors are warned to stay off the streets at night.

Street vendor selling deepfried frittersJakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mall_culture_jakarta20.jpg
Author: Jonathan McIntoshphoto licensing

Travel to Jakarta

The Soekarno Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the main gateway to Jakarta. It is located in Cengkareng (hence the airport code), and it receives all the international flights for the city.

There are three terminals at the airport. Terminal 1 is used by domestic airlines except AirAsia, Mandala and Garuda; Terminal 2 is used by international airlines and for Garuda domestic flights, while Terminal 3 is the low cost carrier terminal used by AirAsia domestic flights and all Mandala flights. There is a shuttle bus that ply between the terminals, but if you need to transit in a hurry, it's best to take a taxi.

Most hotels provide free airport transfers. Otherwise, there's an airport shuttle operated by Xtrans between the airport and major hotels in Jakarta and Bandung. Enquire at their counter.

You can also book a taxi at the taxi counters within the airport. The fare to downtown Jakarta runs around Rp. 90,000. To travel in style, you can take the pricier Silver Bird taxi, which uses Mercedes Benz, for Rp. 120,000.

Jakarta History MuseumJakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jakarta_History_Museum_%28Fatahillah_Museum%29.jpg
Author: Andrew Kippenphoto licensing

Travel within Jakarta

Jakarta is one of the destinations where I have no choice but to advise budget travellers to use the taxi. The buses are packed line sardines, and are highly unreliable nor safe. I can't advise renting a car either, unless you are totally familiar with the street, otherwise you will get desperately lost.

Taxi is the only relatively cheap and fast form of transportation available. Other than that, you are limited to booking local tours directly from the hotel.

Mall Taman Anggrek, JakartaMall Taman Anggrek, Jakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mall_Taman_Anggrek,_Jakarta.jpg
Author: Dionisius Purbaphoto licensing

Shopping Malls in Jakarta

  1. Entertainment X'nter
    Upscale mall that opened in mid 2004.
  2. Grand Indonesia
    Mixed-use complex comprising a shopping mall and a hotel.
  3. Mal Artha Gading
    Shopping mall in Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta.
  4. Mal Kelapa Gading
    One of the largest shopping malls in Indonesia with 600 plus stores.
  5. Mall Taman Anggrek
    One of the largest upscale shopping malls and condominium complexes in Southeast Asia, located in West Jakarta. Opened in 1996, it has the first indoor ice rink. Anchor tenants inlcude Matahari Department Store, Metro Department Store and Fitness First.
  6. Plaza Indonesia
    The first high-end shopping centre in Indonesia that opened in 1939, with anchor tenants including Debenhams and Marks & Spencer.
  7. Plaza Senayan
    Upscale shopping mall in Central Jakarta, housing Metro Department Store, Sogo Department Store and Books Kinokuniya.
  8. Ratu Plaza
    Shopping mall catering to IT customers located in Gelora, Central Jakarta. It has a reputation of selling pirated DVDs.
  9. Senayan City
    Complex comprising a seven-level upscale shopping mall, an office tower, a condominium block and the five-star Sofitel. Anchor tenants are Debenhams and the biggest Best Denki store outside Japan.

Places of Interest in Jakarta

  1. Ancol Dream Park (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol)
    The biggest theme park in Asia built on former swampland, with beachfront hotels, ocean park, fantasy world, seaworld, marina, and lots of restaurants.
  2. Chinatown
    Ethnic Chinese enclave of Jakarta, with a couple of Chinese temples.
  3. Gedung Pancasila
    Colonial building where Sukarno unveiled the five principles of the Indonesian state.
  4. Immanuel Church
    19th century church in the form of a Greek temple.
  5. Istiqlal Mosque
    The largest mosque in Southeast Asia, built on the site of a Dutch fort.
  6. Jakarta Cathedral
    Seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta.
  7. Jalan Surabaya
    Street with shops selling antiques.
  8. Medan Merdeka
    Independence square of Jakarta.
  9. Monas (National Monument)
    137-meter obelisk in the center of Medan Merdeka.
  10. Museum Bahari
    Maritime museum housed in a 17th century Dutch warehouse displaying old maps and traditional sailing crafts from across the Indonesian archipelago.
  11. Museum Sejarah Jakarta (Jakarta History Museum)
    The former Stadhuis (town hall) of Batavia, now a museum showcasing the history of Jakarta from prehistoric to colonial times.
  12. Museum Seni Rupa (Fine Arts Museum)
    Museum housed in the former Court of Justice building displaying works by modern Indonesian artists.
  13. Museum Wayang (Puppet Museum)
    Museum of traditional puppets and masks.
  14. National Museum
    Museum housing a treasure trove of antiquities, books and ethnographic artefacts.
  15. Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands)
    A chain of 105 islands off mainland Jakarta that contains a marine national park and resorts owned by the rich.
  16. Patung Pembebasan Irian Barat (West Irian Liberation Statue)
    Statue commemorating the annexation of Irian Jaya from Dutch occupation in 1963.
  17. Patung Selamat Datang (Welcome Statue)
    Statue of two waving young people.
  18. Presidential Palace
    Palace complex comprising the Istana Negara from 1800 and Istana Merdeka from 1879.
  19. Si Jagur
    16th century Portuguese cannon regarded as a symbol of fertility
  20. Sunda Kelapa Harbour
    Old spice trading seaport of Jakarta, where you can still view old sailing ships.
  21. Taman Fatahillah
    Old town square of Batavia
  22. Taman Ismail Marzuki
    Cultural center showcasing the dance and msic from around Indonesia.
  23. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
    Theme park showcasing the culture of the thirty provinces of Indonesia.
  24. Uitkik
    Old Dutch lookout tower

JakartaJakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jakarta_Skyline_Part_2.jpg
Author: yohanes budiyantophoto licensing


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