As the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta is a sprawling metropolis of around 10 million people of diverse ethnic backgrounds from all over Indonesia. During the day, the crowds will increase as people move around the capital and return home at dusk.
Located in the northwest of Java Island, Jakarta has grown so much that many villages have been transformed into part of the city. Even Jakarta is now famous for its conglomeration of villages, where village roads are no longer footpaths but turn into major roads and highways.
The Charm of the Metropolitan City
When you drive on the streets of Jakarta, don't be surprised if you suddenly get stuck among the crowd of motorcycles and cars that dominate the streets in Jakarta. This megapolitan city will make you often use GPS assistance as navigation when driving on the crowded streets of Jakarta.
Not only the center of national government and provincial government, Jakarta is also the political center of Indonesia as well as the center of national finance and trade. That's what makes Jakarta a dynamic city and makes almost all activities of Jakarta residents take place around the clock.
Divided into 5 districts, Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta and South Jakarta, Jakarta also has 5 major cities surrounding the capital city area called Jabodetabek or Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.
While in Central Jakarta, you can find Jakarta's iconic buildings that are very artistic, such as Monas, Merdeka Palace, National Museum, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral and the Welcome Monument which is better known as Bundaran HI. Not only Jakarta's iconic buildings, shopping centers and prestigious hotels are also located in the heart of Jakarta. You can find fun entertainment here for 24 hours!
If you want a complete entertainment venue for your family, North Jakarta can be your destination next weekend. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, offers a variety of entertainment such as Dufan, Seaworld, Atlantis Water Adventure Park, Ecopark, Art Market and various options for culinary tours.
If you want a vacation to the sea and a relaxing beach, you can cross by boat from Ancol bay to the Thousand Islands. More than 10 islands can be visited, but the most famous ones are Bidadari Island, Tidung Island, Pari Island and Tiger Island, which have private lodges that allow you to swim in the open sea right after waking up in the morning. So much fun!
West Jakarta, East Jakarta and also South Jakarta are office areas located next to residential areas, public facilities and shopping centers that are widely scattered. In the West Jakarta area, you can also find a historical heritage place, precisely at Fatahillah Museum. The Museum area is better known as Kota Tua, where you can enjoy colonial heritage buildings and also get around by bicycle. Not only that, West Jakarta also has an iconic destination called Museum Macan. In this museum, many contemporary artworks are presented including the artworks of Yayoi Kusama.
While in East Jakarta, you can visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah to see miniature islands in Indonesia along with traditional traditional houses and see various cultures throughout Indonesia.
If you want to get to know Betawi culture more closely, you can visit the Setu Babakan Cultural area in South Jakarta. Traditional Betawi traditional houses, museums and cultural arts activities such as traditional dances and traditional music are often held in this cultural village. Even typical Betawi culinary tours, such as kerak telor and bir pletok can also be found here. Before going home, don't forget to make a miniature ondel-ondel which is one of the icons of Jakarta.
For culinary lovers, it is not difficult to find culinary attractions that are widely spread in the city of Jakarta. Likewise, coffee shops are mushrooming and can be enjoyed to spend the weekend. Moreover, if you want to eat gado-gado, fried rice, soto and even rendang, everything is available in Jakarta!
A bustling and lively atmosphere will be felt during the celebration of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17. Residential areas, especially in Jakarta, will be decorated with shades of red and white in accordance with the colors of the Indonesian flag. Not only that, a number of traditional games will also enliven the celebration of Indonesian independence, such as the sack race and also the pinang climbing race which is an iconic race during the celebration of Indonesian independence.
How to Get There
Airways
There are two airports in Jakarta. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the largest airport in Indonesia. Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport serves several domestic flights.
Land Lines
Jakarta is directly connected by land to several major cities in Java. Buses and trains are land transportation that can be chosen to get to Jakarta. When visiting Jakarta, you can take the time to visit Bogor to enjoy the Botanical Gardens or travel to Puncak. If you like to play on the beach, visit Anyer Carita Beach in Banten to spend your vacation time.
Sea Route
The busiest port in Jakarta is Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. Genting Dream Cruises, a cruise ship from Singapore has planned to open a route to Jakarta. For Pesona Pals who want a luxurious vacation, this could be the right choice!
Getting around Jakarta
If you want to get around the city of Jakarta, renting a car, taxi or by ordering a tour package can be the best choice. But, Pesona Pals must also be prepared to face road congestion in Jakarta, especially during rush hour in the business district and even in the Old City. For this reason, it is advisable to choose a hotel or place to stay that is close to tourist attractions or business meeting places. The distance of tourist attractions in Jakarta sometimes feels far due to traffic jams on the way.