Welcome to Jakarta
One of the worlds greatest megalopolises, Jakarta is a dynamic city of daunting extremes with surreal juxtapositions on every street corner. Despite the maddening traffic, life here is lived at an all-out pace, driven by an industriousness and optimism that's palpable. It's a microcosm of Indonesia, where the rich, poor and everyone in between rub good-natured shoulders.
Jakarta city skyline | AMADEUSTX/SHUTTERSTOCK
JakartaTop Sights
Merdeka Square
is the city's beating heart, where locals stroll and canoodle, ascend the huge monument, have an authentic meal, ponder a herd of deer or otherwise escape the teeming streets.
Jakarta Top Sights
Museum Nasional
From prehistoric artefacts to models of the incredible range of houses built across the archipelago, its all here at this that captures Indonesia's diversity.
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Jakarta Top Sights
Ancol Luar Biasa
One of Southeast Asia's largest recreation offers amusement rides, theme parks, sporting and leisure facilities. There's also an arts and crafts market and live music on Fridays.
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Jakarta Top Sights
Museum Wayang
Wayang are flat wooden puppets and this has an excellent collection. Even today, the animation of the ages-old puppets is fascinating, as is the artistry and intricate workmanship.
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Jakarta Top Sights
Street Food in Central Jakarta
There's nothing better than digging into an exotic dish at Jakarta's many open-air food bazaars while rubbing elbows with your neighbour. Try the unmissable on Merdeka Square.
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Jakarta Top Sights
Jakarta War Cemetery
An oasis of beauty and serenity in the midst of busy Jakarta, this is the last resting place of those who died during WWII from across Indonesia.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANGIWAU/GETTY IMAGES
Jakarta Top Sights
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Explore the entire archipelago at this large that recreates the nation's myriad cultures in miniature.
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Jakarta Top Sights
For major brands, designer outlets and Indonesian boutiques, explore high-end complexes such as Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, Kota Kasablanka, Pacific Place and Plaza Senayan.
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Jakarta Top Sights
Once the chosen retreat of colonials fleeing the stifling, crowded Batavia, today Bogor is an ideal day trip from Jakarta. The highlight is Kebun Raya, a beautiful, world-class botanical garden.
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JakartaLocal Life
Insider tips to help you find the real Jakarta
It's all too easy to feel overwhelmed by this sprawling, traffic clogged megacity. Zone in on these more pedestrian-friendly areas to discover Jakarta's vibrant street life, rich cultural and architectural history, as well as hip fashions and style.
Glodok's Chinatown
Street markets
Chinese food
The traditional enclave of Jakarta's Chinese community is packed with bustling lanes, street markets, a shabby mall or two and oodles of noodle, novelty and herbal-remedy vendors. Experience the (very) Chinese vibe of the place, eat some dumplings and browse the myriad stalls.
Jin De Yuan, Chinatown | DIDIER MARTI/GETTY IMAGES
Browsing Kemang
Stylish boutiques
Hipster cafes & bars
The walkable streets of Kemang are the most stylish place in Jakarta to stroll outside of a mall. The ever-changing and creative assortment of galleries, shops, cafes, restaurants and lounges make a walk here feel a bit like a treasure hunt.
Jakarta's Revolutionary Heart
Art deco architecture
Top street market
Menteng's quiet, tree-lined streets, sporting colonial-era homes with curvaceous art deco lines, was the heart of Indonesias independence movement. You can still find sites linked to these times today, as well as one of Jakarta's best street markets.