Jakarta
Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital city and the political and cultural hub, located on the northwest region of the island of Java. The settlement was originally established in the fourth century as a vital trading port for the Kingdom of Sunda, serving as the unofficial capital of the Dutch East Indies.
As Indonesia’s most populous city, Jakarta is known for being a melting pot of the various Indonesian cultures. Although most of Jakarta’s visitors are domestic tourists, Jakarta is one of the main stopovers for foreign visitors on their way to other Indonesian tourist destinations. Jakarta is worth a short-layover to explore the old town, the city’s monuments, vibrant nightlife and vast shopping opportunities.
Top sites include;
Monas (National Monument) – Monas is Jakarta’s most famous landmark, a 137m tower topped with a gold foil flame standing in Freedom Square, symbolising Indonesia’s fight for independence from colonial power. After over 10 years of construction, it was opened to the public in 1975. The site also includes the Indonesian National History Museum and the Hall of Independence. The Indonesian National History Museum depicts scenes charting Indonesian progression through Prehistoric Indonesia, the development of the native civilisations, the period of European colonisation and the struggle for independence well into the twentieth century. Visitors can view the city and the bay from the observation deck, open daily.
Kota Tua (Old Town Batavia) – Kota or Kota Tua is the remnants of the first walled Dutch settlement in the Jakarta area. The neighbourhood gained importance between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries due to its strategic location for the region’s spice trade. Today, whilst some remaining buildings have become derelict, others have been restored to preserve the city’s colonial history. The old square is now the location of art museums, cafes and the Jakarta History Museum (in the old Town Hall).
Sunda Kelapa – Sunda Kelapa is the old port in Jakarta and remains an important site for inter-island trade. Historically it was the main port of the Sunda Kingdom. Today, the port houses the last remaining wind-powered trade fleet of pinisi, traditional two-masted wooden sailing ships. The port is also home to an impressive fish market.
Destination: Indonesia
