Jakarta is second most populace city in the world , having biggest no of skyscrapers in south east Asia , largest no of shopping malls in the world and oldest continuously inhabited city in the south east Asia . It is also the fastest sinking city in the World . Jakarta is the biggest and capital city of Indonesia . Once in a lifetime you must travel Jakarta . The city has one of the most friendlier people in the world where bus and train are the major modes of public transport but no metro railway . Jakarta people are the combination of Javanese , chines , Arabic , japanes and malayu population . This city is the hub of political power , economical power and cultural center . This city was renamed several time during the different regime …… like in the time of hindu sunda regime it was name “sunda kalapa ” in 4 th century , then in the time of muslim ruler in 16 th century renamed to Jayakarta , Later in the 17th century it was renamed by Dutch as Batavia and Finally after independence it got the current name Jakarta .
I have been in this city two times and mostly traveled by the public transport . It has different types of public transport system like Bus , Busway , train , three wheeler auto , online motorcycle , bluebird Taxi and also online taxi and maybe Ankot(small van type transport ) but I don’t find any betor in this city . As betor is common in every Indonesian city . In this city there is dedicated bus route where only bus can enter , which is called the busway . For going into the bus you must have a bank card like DKI , BRIZZ , Fizzy card and price of the ticket will automatically deducted . In most of the route bus ticket is 3500 IDR . There is bus station like this and you can board to the bus from here .
The main airport for passenger travel is soekarno – Hatta international Airport , from here most of the international flight leaves and I board the air asia flight from here toward kuala lumpur . This airport is very big and lots of different airlines operate from this airport .
There is one of the biggest sea port Tanjung Perek for public ferry (Pelni) to travel to the different parts of Indonesia . You have to purchase a ticket in advance and generate boarding pass just before boarding . You have to come to the port atleast two hours before the departure to board a ship .
Mainly from the Gambir rail station , Pasar senen railway station and Jakarta kota railway station long distance train leaves toward Yogjakarta , Surabaya or different parts of Java . Tickets can be purchased by KAI app but foreign credit and debit cards will not be accepted so you can pay by the indomarte store . After paying the ticket you will get a ticket which you have to convert in boarding pass in the station . Railway tickets are cheap but still trains are very clean and comfortable to travel in Indonesia .
Places to visit in Jakarta :-
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia , so obviously there is some building associate with the National pride . Here monas , Merdeka square are the buildings associated with the freedom struggle then Jakarta cathedral and Istiqlal mosque are associated with religious site for the Christian and Muslim whereas Grand Indonesia Mall is the modern face of the city . Grand Indonesia mall is the most rated mall in the city .
Istiqlal Masjid :
Istiqlal Masjid is the largest mosque in the south east Asia . Inside the mosque there is a huge domed roof and a big chandelier hanging from the sealing . The mosque was supported by some huge pillars , maybe 5-6 stories height . It has beautifully decorated carpet floor . Inside the mosque is very peaceful . Mainly men pray in the ground floor of the mosque and women in the upper floor of the balcony .
Monas:-
National Monument (Monas)
Monas or National monument is a very big tower situated in the merdeka square to remember the freedom struggle of Indonesia . It is a 132 meter long tower and opened towards public on 12 th july 1975 . It is opened throughout the year from 8 am to 22:00 pm , only every monday is closed . Entry fees to the museum is 5000 IDR and 15000 IDR to go to the top observatory desk . There is lift to take you to the top . From this area you can have a panoramic view of the Jakarta city . There is also binocular to see the city more clearly . There is one hour time slot and in every hour 200 persons are allowed to the top . You have to wait for your turn to go inside the lift . In my case it is almost 30 mins wait just before the lift . Going to the top is really a rewarding experience .
Merdeka Palace :
This is the Presidential Palace of Indonesia , it is very near to the Monas . You can visit it just from the outside . This is a dutch architectural style building used by dutch as the residence of dutch Governor general and now by President .
Museum National Indonesia :-
It is one of the finest Museum in Indonesia . It has a collection in the area of geography , archeology , Numismatics , ethnology , ceramics , history . This museum is also called “Elephant Museum” because a elephant statue is situated in front of the museum gate . it opened on Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 4 : 00 pm and entry fees is 25000 IDR for Foreigners and 15000 IDR for Indonesian . Everyday morning in the 10 am there is a free English Museum tour arranged by this museum , this will be a good option for the foreign Tourist to explore this museum . This museum have extensive collection of statues from Hindu and Buddhist gods , mainly collected from the Sumatra and Java Island . Tantric Ganesha , Shiva , Bharmbha ,Bishnu , Parvati , Agastya and different forms of buddha statue are major attraction .
Inside this museum you can see replica of different traditional houses from different parts of Indonesia . Wooden statue from Papua . Different hats , masks and jewellery used by different tribe . Indonesia is a collection of different Language and tribe . Inside the museum there is huge chart which named all language spoken and tribes reside in Indonesia .
Wooden statue in Papua
Jakarta Cathedral :
Jakarta cathedral – original name Gereja Santa Maria Diangkat ke Surga is a roman catholic church in Jakarta established in 1901 . This is one of the finest church in Indonesia
Grand Indonesia:-
Grand Indonesia is one of the largest shopping mall in Indonesia and opened toward public in 2007 . It is a multipurpose building used for shopping , office and residential complex . The mall is very clean and specially small butterfly replica in the roof is very attractive .
Pasar Baru :
Pasar Baru is one of the oldest shopping complex in Jakarta . It was established in 1820 and mainly concentrated around the Jalan Pasar baru . This Market is the combination of dutch , chines and Indian trader . Almost everything from the cloths , cosmetics , grocery to jewellery were sold here . Before enter to the market there is huge old colonial style gate . You can see different vendors in the street trying to sell food items . You may also discover some new food items in the way . The market started to close just after the sun down .
This are the places I personally visited in the Jakarta city but there is tons of places to visit in the city as it is a very huge city with over 35 million .
Other places to visit in Jakarta :-
- Thousand Islands
- Taman Mini Indonesia Park
- National Gallery
- Jakarta Chinatown
- Ragunan Zoo
- Kota Tua
- Sunda Kalapa
- Museum Bank Indonesia
- Jakarta War Cemetery
- Kite Museum of Indonesia
Summery :-
Jakarta is the capital and largest city in Indonesia having population more than 3.5 million which is the second most populaces city in the world just after Tokyo . Monas , Merdeka square , Istiqlal Mosque , Jakarta cathedral and Museum of Indonesia are some of the major attraction in this city . Road is the main transport inside the city though there is train but it is very limited . Soekarno – Hatta International Airport is the main commercial airport in this city and Tanjung Perek is the main sea port in Jakarta for passenger ferry Pelni . People in jakarta is very friendly so you will be feeling very happy inside the city .
