Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta), is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. It was formerly known as Sunda Kalapa (397-1527), Jayakarta (1527-1619), Batavia (1619-1942), and Djakarta (1942-1972). Located on the northwest coast of the Java Island, it has an area of 661.52 km² and an official population of 8,389,443 (2000). Jakarta currently is the eleventh largest city in the world. Its metropolitan area is called Jabodetabek and contains more than 23 million people, and is part of an even larger Jakarta-Bandung megalopolis.
Jakarta is served by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Since 2004, Jakarta, under the governance of Sutiyoso, has built a new bus system known as “Trans Jakarta” or “Busway” and is planning to increase the number of Busway routes. The city had hoped to establish its newest transportation system, the Jakarta Monorail, in 2007, but the project has been delayed and its completion date is uncertain. Jakarta also is the location of the Indonesia Stock Exchange and the National Monument.
Geography
Jakarta is located on the northwestern coast of Java Island, at the mouth of the Ciliwung River on Jakarta Bay, which is an inlet of the Java Sea. The northern part of Jakarta is constituted on a plain land, approximately eight meters above the sea level. This contributes to the frequent flooding. The southern parts of the city are hilly. There are about 13 rivers flowing through Jakarta, mostly flowing form the hilly southern parts of the city northwards towards the Java Sea. The most important river is the Ciliwung river, which divides the city into the western and eastern principalities. The city borders the province of West Java on its east side and the province of Banten on its west side.
The thousand islands, which is a part of the administrative region of Jakarta, is located in the Jakarta Bay. These 105 islets are located 45 km on the north part of the city.
Climate
Jakarta has a hot and humid equatorial/tropical climate (Af) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Located in the western-part of Indonesia, Jakarta’s wet season rainfall peak is January with average monthly rainfall of 350mm, and its dry season low point is August with a monthly average of 60mm. The city is humid throughout the year with daily temperature range of 25°C to 38°C; Absolute maximum is 43.8°C and absolute minimum is 21.5°C.
History
Dutch Batavia in the 17th Century, built in what is now North Jakarta.
The old name of Jakarta was Sunda Kelapa. The earliest record mentioning this area as a capital city can be traced to the Indianized kingdom of Tarumanagara as early as the fourth century. In 397 AD, King Purnawarman established Sunda Pura as a new capital city for the kingdom, located at the northern coast of Java. Purnawarman left seven memorial stones with inscriptions bearing his name spread across the area, including the present-day Banten and West Java provinces. The Tugu Inscription is considered the oldest of all of them.
After Tarumanagara power declined, all his territories, including Sunda Pura, felt under the Kingdom of Sunda. The harbour area were renamed into Sunda Kelapa as written in a Hindu monk’s lontar manuscripts, which are now located at the Oxford University Library in England, and travel records by Prince Bujangga Manik. By the 14th century, Sunda Kelapa became a major trading port for the kingdom. The first European fleet, four Portuguese ships from Malacca, arrived in 1513 when the Portuguese were looking for a route for spices and especially pepper.
The Kingdom of Sunda made a peace agreement with Portugal by letting the Portuguese to build a port in 1522 in order to defend against the rising power of the Sultanate of Demak from central Java. In 1527, Fatahillah, a Sumatran Malay warrior from Demak attacked Kingdom of Sunda and succeeded in conquering the harbour on June 22, 1527, after which Sunda Kelapa was renamed into to Jayakarta.
Through the relationship with Prince Jayawikarta from the Sultanate of Banten, Dutch ships arrived in Jayakarta in 1596. In 1602, the British East India Company’s first voyage, commanded by Sir James Lancaster, arrived in Aceh and sailed on to Banten where they were allowed to build a trading post. This site became the center of British trade in Indonesia until 1682.
Apparently, Jayawikarta also made a trading connection with the English merchants, rivals of the Dutch, by allowing them to build houses directly across from the Dutch buildings in 1615. When relations between Prince Jayawikarta and the Dutch later deteriorated, Jayawikarta’s soldiers attacked the Dutch fortress. But even with the help of fifteen British ships, Prince Jayakarta’s army wasn’t able to defeat the Dutch, in part owing to the timely arrival of Jan Pieterszoon Coen (J.P. Coen). The Dutch burned the English fort, and forced the English retreat on their ships. With this victory, Dutch power in the area was consolidated. In 1619 they renamed the city “Batavia.
Within Batavia’s walls, wealthy Dutch built tall houses and pestilential canals. Commercial opportunities attracted Indonesian and especially Chinese immigrants, the increasing numbers creating burdens on the city. Tensions grew as the colonial government tried to restrict Chinese migration through deportations. On 9 October 1740, 5,000 Chinese were massacred and the following year, Chinese inhabitants were moved to Glodok outside the city walls. The city began to move further south as epidemics in 1835 and 1870 encouraged more people to move far south of the port. The Koningsplein, now Merdeka Square, was completed in 1818, and Kebayoran Baru was the last Dutch-built residential area.
The city was renamed “Jakarta” by the Japanese during their World War II occupation of Indonesia. Following World War II, Indonesian Republicans withdrew from allied-occupied Jakarta during their fight for Indonesian independence and established their capital in Yogyakarta. In 1950, once independence was secured, Jakarta was once again made the national capital. Indonesia’s founding president, Sukarno, envisaged Jakarta as a great international city. He instigated large government-funded projects undertaken with openly nationalistic and modernist architecture. Projects in Jakarta included a clover-leaf highway, a major boulevard (Jalan Sudirman), monuments such as The National Monument, major hotels, and a new parliament building.
In 1966, Jakarta was declared a “special capital city district” (daerah khusus ibukota), thus gaining a status approximately equivalent to that of a state or province. Lieutenant General Ali Sadikin served as Governor from this time to 1977; he rehabilitated roads and bridges, encouraged the arts, built several hospitals, and a large number of new schools. He also cleared out slum dwellers for new development projects—some for the benefit of the Suharto family—and tried to eliminate rickshaws and ban street vendors. He began control of migration to the city in order to stem the overcrowding and poverty. Land redistribution, structural adjustment, and foreign investment contributed to a real estate boom which changed the face of the city. The boom ended with the 1997/98 East Asian Economic crisis putting Jakarta at the center of violence, protest, and political maneuvering. Long-time president, Suharto, began to lose his grip on power. Tensions reached a peak in May 1998, when four students were shot dead at Trisakti University by security forces; four days of riots ensued resulting in the loss of an estimated 1,200 lives and 6,000 buildings damaged or destroy Suharto resigned as president, and Jakarta has remained the focal point of democratic change in Indonesia. A number of Jemaah Islamiah-connected bombings have occurred in the city since 2000.
Administration
Officially, Jakarta is not a city but a province with special status as the capital of Indonesia. It is administered much as any other Indonesian province. For example, Jakarta has a governor (instead of a mayor), and is divided into several sub-regions with their own administrative systems. Jakarta, as a province, is divided into five cities (kota) (formerly municipality) each headed by a mayor and one regency (kabupaten) headed by a regent. In August 2007, Jakarta held its first ever election to pick a governor, which was won by Fauzi Bowo. The city’s governors have previously been appointed by local parliament. The poll is part of a country-wide decentralization drive allowing for direct local elections in several areas.
List of cities of Jakarta:
* Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat)
* East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur)
* North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara)
* South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
* West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat)
The only regency of Jakarta is:
* Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu), formerly a subdistrict of North Jakarta.
Culture
National Museum of Indonesia
As the economic and political capital of Indonesia, Jakarta attracts many foreign as well as domestic immigrants. As a result, Jakarta has a decidedly cosmopolitan flavor and a diverse culture. Many of the immigrants are from the other parts of Java Island, bringing along a mixture of dialects of the Javanese and Sundanese languages, as well as their traditional foods and customs.
Jakarta is sometimes called “The Big Durian” by foreigners resident in the city. The durian is a tropical fruit with a distinctive odor and acquired taste. A bustling urban metropolis, Jakarta is known for its overcrowding, traffic congestion, and income disparity.
The Betawi (Orang Betawi, or “people of Batavia”) is a term used to describe the descendants of the people living around Batavia and recognized as a tribe from around the 18th-19th century. The Betawi people are mostly descended from various Southeast Asian ethnic groups brought or attracted to Batavia to meet labor needs, and include people from various parts of Indonesia. The language and culture of these immigrants are distinct from those of the Sundanese or Javanese. The language is more based on East Malay dialect and enriched by loan words from Javanese, Chinese, and Arab. Nowadays, the Jakarta-dialects used by people in Jakarta is loosely based on Betawi Language.
There has also been a significant Chinese community in Jakarta for many centuries. Officially, they make up 6% of the Jakarta population, though this number may be under-reported.
One of the many Sukarno era statues in the city.
Jakarta has several performance centers, such as the Senayan center. Traditional music is often found at high-class hotels, including wayang and gamelan performances. As the nation’s largest city and capital, Jakarta has lured much national and regional talent who hope to find a greater audience and more opportunities for success.
Ironically, the Betawi arts are rarely found in Jakarta due to their infamous low-profile and most of them had moved to the border of Jakarta, ridden by the wave of immigrant. It is easier to find Java or Minang based wedding ceremonial instead of Betawi wedding in Jakarta. It is easier to find Javanese Gamelan instead of Gambang Kromong (mixture between Betawi and Chinese music) or Tanjidor (mixture between Betawi and Portuguese music) or Marawis (mixture between Betawi and Yaman music). However, some festival such as Jalan Jaksa Festival or Kemang Festival tried to preserve the Betawi art by inviting the artist to do some performance.
The concentration of wealth and political influence in the city means that it has much more noticeable foreign influence on its landscape and culture, an effect illustrated by the presence in the city of many major international fast-food chains, for example.
Transportation
Jalan Thamrin, a main road in Central Jakarta
One of the most populous cities in the world, Jakarta is strained by transportation problems. Notes BBC News, “Only 2% of Jakartans use public transport at the moment [although in Indonesia most communal transport is provided by bemos, privately run minibuses]. Car users, meanwhile, are growing at a rate of 10% a year…Unless something is done, analysts say, the city will become completely gridlocked in the next few years.”
Road transport
Jakarta traffic
Despite the presence of many wide roads, Jakarta suffers from congestion due to heavy traffic, especially in the central business district. To reduce traffic jams, some major roads in Jakarta have a ‘three in one’ rule during rush hours, first introduced in 1992, prohibiting fewer than three passengers per car on certain roads.
Jakarta’s roads are notorious for undisciplined driver behavior; transportation laws are broken with impunity and police bribery is commonplace. The painted lines on the road are regarded as mere suggestions as vehicles often travel four or five abreast on a typical two-lane road. It is not uncommon to encounter a vehicle traveling the wrong direction in a given traffic flow. Furthermore, in recent years the number of motorcycles on the streets has been growing almost exponentially. The vast sea of small, 100-200cc motorcycles, many of which have 2-stroke motors, create much of the traffic, noise and air pollution that plague Jakarta.
Motorised bajaj
Eugine still working 30 years old
Auto rickshaws, called bajaj (pronounced badge-eye), provide local transportation in the back streets of some parts of the city. From the early 1940s to 1991 they were a common form of local transportation in the city. In 1966, an estimated 160,000 rickshaws were operating in the city; as much as fifteen percent of Jakarta’s total workforce was engaged in rickshaw driving. In 1971, rickshaws were banned from major roads, and shortly thereafter the government attempted a total ban, which substantially reduced their numbers but did not eliminate them. An especially aggressive campaign to eliminate them finally succeeded in 1990 and 1991, but during the economic crisis of 1998, some returned amid less effective government attempts to control them.
To reduce traffic congestion, a new Trans Jakarta bus system was introduced.
The Trans Jakarta service operates on a special bus-line called the bus way. The bus way network is optimized for busy city routes and is a relatively effective alternative for travel in Jakarta. Construction of the 2nd and 3rd corridor routes of the bus way was completed in 2006, serving the route from Pulo Gadung to Kalideres. The bus way serving the route from Blok M to Jakarta Kota has been operational since January 2004.
An outer ring road is now being constructed and is partly operational from Cilincing-Cakung-Pasar Rebo-Pondok Pinang-Daan Mogot-Cengkareng. A toll road connects Jakarta to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in the north of Jakarta. Also connected via toll road is the port of Merak and Tangerang to the west and Bekasi, Cibitung and Karawang, Purwakarta and Bandung to the east.
Rail and Waterway
There are railways throughout Jakarta; however, they are judged as being inadequate for providing necessary transportation for the citizens of Jakarta. In peak hours, the number of passengers greatly exceeds capacity. The railroad tracks connect Jakarta to its neighboring regions: Depok and Bogor to the south, Tangerang and Serpong to the west, and Bekasi, Karawang, and Cikampek to the east. The major rail stations are Gambir, Jatinegara, Pasar Senen, Manggarai, Tanah Abang and Jakarta Kota.
Air
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport(CGK) is the primary airport for Jakarta and Indonesia alike. It is used by both private and commercial carriers connecting Jakarta with other Indonesian cities. It is also Indonesia’s main international gateway. The airport is divided into three separate terminals. Terminal 1 serves all domestic airliners except Garuda Indonesia. Terminal 2 serves all foreign carriers and Garuda Indonesia (both domestic and international routes). Terminal 3 serves for hajj pilgrimage flights and for transnational migrant laborers. A second airport, Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport(HLP) serves mostly private and presidential flights.
Education
Jakarta is the home of many universities, the oldest of which are state-run University of Indonesia (UI) and the privately-owned Universitas Nasional (UNAS). There are also many other private universities in Jakarta. As the largest city and the capital, Jakarta houses a large number of students from various parts of Indonesia, many of whom reside in dormitories or home-stay residences. Similar to other large cities in developing Asian countries, there are many professional schools. For basic education, there are a variety of primary and secondary schools, tagged with public (national), private (national and bi-lingual national plus) and international schools. One of the major international schools located in Jakarta is the Jakarta International School. It is an IASAS school.
Sports
Since Soekarno’s era, Jakarta has often been chosen as the venue for international sport events, such as being the host of Asian Games in 1962, host of Asian Cup 2007 and several times hosting the regional-scale Sea Games. Jakarta is also home of several professional soccer clubs. The most popular of them is Persija, which regularly plays its matches in the Lebak Bulus Stadium. Another first division team is Persitara. The biggest stadium in Jakarta is the Bung Karno Stadium with a capacity of 100,000 seats. For basketball, the Kelapa Gading Sport Mall in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, with a capacity of 7,000 seats, is the home arena of the Indonesian national basketball team. Many international basketball matches are played in this stadium. The Senayan sports complex is comprised of several sport venues, which include the Bung Karno soccer stadium, Madya Stadium, Istora Senayan, a shooting range, a tennis court and a golf driving range. The Senayan complex was built in 1959 to accommodate the Asian Games in 1962.
Nusantara Polo Club – Jakarta’s Premiere Polo Facility
In 2011, Jakarta, together with Bandung, will once again host the Southeast Asian Games. Preparations to host the event have started since the conclusion of the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games. The Indonesian Polo Association, as the governing body of polo in Indonesia, have stated its commitment to host the SEA Games polo tournament in Indonesia after polo is confirmed to be absent in the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games. The Indonesian Polo Team were placed last in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.
Problems
A trash dump in Bantar Gebang, Bekasi
Population in excess of infrastructure
Like many big cities in developing countries, Jakarta suffers from major urbanization problems. The population has risen sharply from 1.2 million in 1960 to 8.8 million in 2004, counting only its legal residents. The population of greater Jakarta is estimated at 23 million, making it the fourth largest urban area in the world. The rapid population growth has outgrown the government’s ability to provide basic needs for its residents. As the third biggest economy in Indonesia, Jakarta has attracted a large number of visitors. The population during weekends is almost double that of weekdays, due to the influx of residents residing in other areas of Jabotabek. Because of government’s inability to provide adequate transportation for its large population, Jakarta also suffers from severe traffic jams that occur almost every day. Air pollution and waste management are also severe problems. By 2025 the population of Jakarta may reach 24.9 million, not counting millions more in surrounding areas.
Sanitation
Surveys show that “less than a quarter of the population is fully served by improved water sources. The rest rely on a variety of sources, including rivers, lakes and private water vendors. Some 7.2 million people are [without clean water].”
Flooding
During the wet season, Jakarta suffers from flooding due to clogged sewage pipes and waterways, deforestation near rapidly urbanizing Bogor and Depok, and the fact that 40% of it is below sea level. Terrible floods occurred in 1996 when 5,000 hectares flooded and 2007. Losses from infrastructure damage and state revenue were at least 5.2 trillion rupiah (572 million US dollars) and at least 85 people were killed and about 350,000 people forced from their homes. Approximately 70% to 75% of Jakarta’s total area was flooded and water up to 4 meters deep in parts of city.
Jakarta has sister relationships with a number of towns and regions worldwide:
* Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
* Beijing, China
* Berlin, Germany
* Istanbul, Turkey
* Los Angeles, United States
* State of New South Wales, Australia
* Paris, France
* Rotterdam, the Netherlands
* Manchester, United Kingdom
* Seoul, South Korea
* Tokyo, Japan
Places of interests
* National Museum
India and Asia mainland in general. The elements of India is the most interesting aspect at one side and the fact of Indonesian ethnography. All these facts had invited various experts to study Indonesia in more intensive and extensive effort. In the field of history the archaeologists, paleontologists, epigraphists, linguistic, paleographic and ceramologists have dedicated themselves for the light of Indonesian history, educated local student to understand their culture which had been a great historians such as Prof. Dr. Poerbatjaraka, Prof. Wiryosuparto, Prof Soekarto, Prof. Soekmono, Prof. I.B. Mantra and many others. In the field of Anthropology even more expert were born, although it is much later such as Prof. Koentjaraningrat.
Deeper study on Hindu tradition has brought into light the eat influence of Indian Epic such as Mahabharata and Ramayana in the life of Javanese and Balinese. Everywhere in the region of Indonesia were found the remains of ancient Hindu kingdoms and culture. The remains either in thee form of monuments and artifacts. This fact has encouraged the establishment of national museum as the center for Indonesian cultural study.
As a national museum, their collection consist f ethnic map, Indonesian relief map, various ethnic cultural objects from cloths, music, house model, and relics. In the field of history, a big number of collection from ancient Hindu kingdoms, and Chinese ceramic from Hand dynasty ( ca. 300 to 220 AD.
History Of National Museum
On April 24, 1778, a group of Dutch intellectuals stablished a scientific institution under the name Bataviaasch Genotschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, (Batavia Society for Arts and Science). This private body had the aim of promoting research in the field of arts and sciences, especially in history, archaeology, ethnography and physics, and publish the various findings.
One of the founders – JCM Radermacher – donated building and a collection of cultural objects and books, which were of great value to start off a museum and library for the society. Due to the growing collections, General Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles built a new premises on Jalan Majapahit No. 3 at the beginning of the 19th century and named it the Literary Society. In the 1862 the Dutch East Indian government decided to build a new museum that would not only serve as an office but also could be used to house, preserve and display the collections.
The Museum was officially opened in 1868 and became known as Gedung Gajah (Elephant House) or Gedung Arca (House of Statues). It was called Gedung Gajah on account of the bronze lephant statue in the front yard donated by King Chulalongkorn from Thailand in 1871. It was also called Gedung Arca because a great variety of statues from different periods are on display in the house.
On February 29, 1950 the Institution became the Lembaga Kebudayaan Indonesia (Indonesian Culture Council) and on September 17, 1962 it was handed over to the Indonesian government and became the Museum Pusat (Central Museum). By decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 092/0/1979 of May 28, 1979 it was renamed the Museum Nasional. The Museum Nasional is not only a centre for research and study into the national and cultural heritage, but also functions as an educative, cultural and recreational information centre.
Currently the Musium Nasional houses collections of 109,342 objects under the categories of prehistory, archaeology, ethnography, numismatics-heraldic, geography and historical relics.
In 1994, the museum started with is expansion project. The new building, constructed in the same architectural style as the old, comprises an arena for theatrical performances and more spaces for exhibitions. The building is scheduled for completion this year.
* The National Monument
The National Monument, or “Monas” as it is popularly called, is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. It stands for the people’s determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945. The 137-meter tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg. of gold. The base houses a historical museum and a hall for meditations. The monument is open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors to the top which offers a bird’s eye view on the city and the sea.
* Central Museum
Established in 1778 by U.M.C. Rademacher under the auspices of the Batavia Association of Arts and Sciences, it offers historical, prehistorical, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which date as far back as to the Stone Age. It has one of the most complete collections of bronzes and ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties. The Museum has one of the finest numismatic collections in the world, including cloth and money which was used on several islands until recently. The religious art section is filled with statuary and sculpture salvaged from sites of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic edifices. Its collection of cultural instruments, household utensils, arts and crafts provide an introduction to the life of the various ethnic groups which populate Indonesia. This museum is popularly known as Gedung Gajah or “Elephant Building” because of the stone elephant offered by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 187 1, placed on the front lawn of the building.
* Indonesia in Miniature Park
An extensive park to get a glimpse of the diverseness of the Indonesian archipelago, it represents Indonesia’s 27 provinces and their outstanding characteristics, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional architecture of the province. It has its own orchid garden in which hundreds of Indonesian orchid varieties are grown. There is also a bird park with a walk-in aviary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants.
Of special interest here at Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia. A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses contemporary arts, crafts and traditional costumes from the different regions of the country.
* “Theater Imax Keong Emas” (Golden Snail Theater)
Located in the Taman Mini is the Imax theater which presents “Beautiful Indonesia” on a gigantic screen using the latest Imax system.
* Jaya Ancol Dreamland
This is Jakarta’s largest and most popular recreation park. It is built on reclaimed beach land at the Bay of Jakarta, having, sea and freshwater aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing, boating, bowling, an assortment of nightclubs, restaurants, a steam-bath and massage parlors.
Daily shows are held at the Aquarium where dolphins and sea lions perform. The Ancol complex includes a Marina, Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy Land), a golf course, hotels and a drive-in theater. The “Pasar Seni” or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale.
At a nearby open-air theater art performances are held using the local dialect.
* Fantasy Land
A recent addition to Jakarta’s growing recreation facilities is the Fantasy Land, a 9.5 hectares (23.75 acres) entertainment park located inside the Ancol Dreamland. Planned to eventually become a part of a 200-hectares (500-acres) park designed to usher the visitors into the fascinating world of modern science and technology, the present facility takes them on an imaginative tour of Old Jakarta, Africa, America, Indonesia, Europe, Asia and the Palace of Dolls. Each of the areas is designed to give the visitor a feel of the region he is visiting through features and architecture of the area at a certain period of its history and by the use of animated puppets in the Palace of Dolls.
The park also offers a number of restaurants and souvenir shops.
* The Marina Jaya Ancol
This is a special port for yachts, motor and sail boats, the port of departure for Pulau Seribu and the scattered islands in the Bay of Jakarta. This is also the place for marine recreation and sports where each facility is amply provided; water cycles, canoes, sail boats, fishing gear and many others. Stalls along the beach serve drinks and snacks while tents are available for sunbathers and sea lovers.
* Jakarta Museum ( Fatahillah Museum )
Completed in 1627, the building initially served as the Dutch East Indies Company’s Town Hall. Additions and renovations including a stone gate, offices and renovations were added between 1705 and 1715. The known Indonesian hero, Diponegoro, was said to have been imprisoned in its dungeon before his exile to South Sulawesi.
The building was used as military barracks and offices when the Jakarta City Administration decided in the early 1970s to make it the focus of a restoration plan of old Batavia. Now a museum, it provides the historical background of Jakarta through displays of old maps and antiquities including furniture and porcelain used by the Dutch rulers of Batavia, plus a 16th century Portuguese cannon which stand across the cobblestone square.
* Sunda Kelapa Harbor
Sunda Kelapa, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. It was formerly the harbor town of Sunda Kelapa where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century.
The fish catch of the day was auctioned in the early morning at the old fish market. The street leading to it was lined with shops selling all sorts of shells, dehydrated turtles, lobsters and mostly everything the seafarer might need.
Dutch domination of Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia began from this area, whereas the remnants of Kasteel Batavia, an old fort and trading post of the Dutch East Indies Company can still be seen now. Sunda Kelapa is at present a fisherman’s wharf and an interisland port. Tall masted Bugis schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer a picturesque scene. They belong to one of the last-fleets of sail boats in the world and still ply the seas between the islands, as they did centuries ago, carrying merchandise.
* T.I.M. Art Center
The focal point of cultural activities in Jakarta is the Jakarta Art Center, known as Taman Ismail Marzuki or TIM in short. It is said to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and consists of exhibition halls, theaters, an academy of arts, an archives building and a planetarium. A monthly programme of events, available at hotel counters, includes exhibitions, plays, musical and poetry recitals, dance performances, folk art and drama from the various regions of Indonesia.
* Pulau Seribu ( Thousand islands )
This group of islands in the Jakarta Bay offers a haven away from the bustle of city life. There are golden beaches fringed with coconut palms. The surrounding waters are a paradise for skin divers. They are filled with a myriad of tropical fish which live among the multicolored corals. The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan (Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat. Some of the islands in this group developed for tourism are Pulau Bidadari, Pulau Ayer, Pulau Laki and Pulau Putri. Pulau Tanjung near Putri has an airstrip. There are cabins for hire, having fresh water on Pulau Air and Pulau Bidadari only. The Pulau Putri Paradise Co. has developed Pulau Putri, Pulau Melintang, Pulau Petondan and Pulau Papa Theo as a holiday resort with cottages, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities.
* Taman Ria Remaja Senayan
Located at jalan Pintu VIII Senayan, this Park has a beautiful lake for boating, canoeing and boat cycling. Other facilities for children are among others mini cars, trains and a merry-go-round. Evening entertainment include live musical bands and popular local comedies.
* Ragunan Zoo
Jakarta’s zoo is situated in the suburb of Ragunan in the southern part of the city. Laid out in a lush tropical setting, such indigenous animals as the Komodo lizard, tapir, anoa, Java tiger, banteng, wild ox and brightly colored birds are given ample room to be in this green foliage.
Open dally from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The zoological garden is most crowded on Sunday and public holidays.
* The Wayang Museum
This puppetry museum on the western side of Taman Fatahillah in “The Old Town” area has displays of wayang puppets from all parts of Indonesia and some from other parts of Southeast Asia as well.
The wooden and leather puppets displayed here represent the finest craftsmanship in this particular form of traditional theater. The museum also shows shortened performances of the wayang kulit leather puppets every Sunday morning.
* Bird Market (Pasar Burung)
If you are interested to buy tropical birds there is the pasar burung (Bird Market) at jalan Pramuka with its colorful and rich varieties of attractive, lovable birds highlighted by the unique “perkutut” song bird, the pride of the Javanese people.
Open daily from 9.00 am. It is advisable to go with an Indonesian speaking person for better communication.
* Satria Mandala Museum
This central museum of the Armed Forces displays exhibits on progress in the development of the Indonesian Armed Forces, its role in the struggle for the nation’s independence, and other military relics.
* Lubang Buaya Heroes Monument
Situated in the southeast of the city about 20 km from downtown, it is a memorial park dedicated to the six army generals and one army officer who were slain on October 1, 1965, in an abortive communist inspired coup d’etat. The centerpiece is the Pancasila Monument with statues of the seven heroes, standing near the old well in which their bodies were thrown after having been tortured and executed by communist militia squads.
*Textile Museum
This museum displays various textiles from all over the country, from hand-woven cotton, silk and batiks, as well as, of ancient or contemporary productions.
* Maritime Museum
Two warehouses are the only ones left, which were of the first trading post and port of the Dutch East Indies Company in Java. They now house the Maritime Museum. The old harbormaster’s tower stands nearby.
Open from 8.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m. on Tuesdays Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On Fridays closed at 11.00 a.m. and on Saturday at 1.00 p.m. It closes on Monday.
*Museum Komodo
Built in the form of the Varanus Komodiensis (the only prehistoric giant lizard found exclusively on Indonesia’s Komodo Island), it exhibits dioramas depicting the fauna of insects and wild animals. Located at Taman Mini and open daily from 8.00 – 15.00.
* Portuguese Church
Situated in downtown Jakarta is the Portuguese Church, built between 1693 and 1696 for the Portuguese speaking people of Batavia. Although rather plain from the outside, its interior is quite impressive with its baroque pulpit and organ.
* Parliament Building
This strikingly modern building on jalan Gatot Subroto is the parliament where at least once in every five years, the People’s Consultative Assembly (the National Congress) holds its sessions. When not in session, visitors are allowed in but permission must be obtained in advance.
* Perintis Kemerdekaan Building and the Soekarno – Hatta Monument.
Both are located at jalan Proklamasi 56, on the site of the former residence of the late President Soekarno where the nation’s Independence was proclaimed. By the Perintis Kemerdekaan Building stands the Soekarno-Hatta Monument, in commemoration of the nation’s first President and Vice President, who together proclaimed Independence on behalf of the Indonesian people.
* Orchid Gardens
Some of the most exotic orchids come from Indonesia. Several commercial orchid gardens are open to the public, the best known of them is located at Slipi and Taman Mini.
* Condet
This village in southern Jakarta is a protected area where the old rural life style of Jakarta is preserved. Condet is also famed for its fruit orchards.
* Museum Perangko ( Stamps )
The Stamps Museum at Taman Mini has an attractive collection of stamps once issued in the country over the years. The museum is ideal for philatelists.
* Indonesia Jaya Crocodile Park
This park in Pluit, North Jakarta has about 700 crocodiles of all sizes and ages. It offers regular shows, usually taking their themes from popular Indonesian folk tales.
* Shopping Hints
Handicraft from all over Indonesia. Batiks, jewelry, electronic and photographic equipment, garments made to order and local herbal cosmetics.
* Lubang Buaya ( Crocodile hold )
Situated in the Southeast of the city about 20 km from down town, it is a memorial park dedicated to the six army generals and one army officer who were
On October 1, 1965, in an abortive communist inspired coup d’etat. The centerpiece is the Pancasila Monument with statues of the seven heroes, standing near the old well in which their bodies were thrown after having been tortured and executed by communist militia squads.
*Bentara Budaya
Jl. Palmerah Selatan 17, Jakarta 10270, Movie, paintings, book fair etc.
*CP Artspace Gallery
Jl. Suryopranoto 67A, Jakarta 10160. Fine arts, paintings etc.
*Ismail Marzuki Park,
Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta. Art gallery, dance, drama, music shows, planetarium etc .
*National Gallery of Indonesia
Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14, Jakarta 10110. Fine arts, paintings. Near Monas.
*National Library
Jl. Salemba Raya No. 284 Jakarta Pusat. Books, video, movie, audio tapes, CD, poem etc.
* Development Movement
“Gerak Pembangunan”, Jl. Cut Mutia. This statue commemorated the start of 5 years development plan (PELITA) on April 1, 1969. This statue is often called “sack running”.
* Freedom of Irian Jaya
“Pembebasan Irian Jaya”, Lapangan Banteng, near Hotel Borobudur and Ministry of Finance. This statue commemorated the freedom of Irian Jaya (West Papua) from Dutch occupation in 1963.
* Farmer Statue
“Pak Tani dan Bu Tani”, Jl. Prapatan Menteng. Created by Matvei Manizer and Otto Manizer (from Russia). This statue commemorated the struggle for Independence by Indonesian farmers and their family. Near Aryadutta Hotel.
* General Soedirman
Jl. Jendral Sudirman. This statue commemorated the guerilla war against Dutch occupation led by General Soedirman in Jogyakarta (1948-1949).
* Hermes
on Harmoni Bridge. This old statue is a lucky charm of Karl Stolz, a successful Dutch businessman in Jakarta. He donated the statue to Dutch government in 1930.
* Mahabharata Monument
“Arjuna Wijaya” is at the southwest corner of Medan Merdeka, in front of Indosat building. Created by Nyoman Nuarta.
* National Monument
(Monumen Nasional, often abbreviated Monas), Lapangan Merdeka (BRT Monumen Nasional). A towering 137m-tall obelisk with 35 kilos of solid gold shaped into flames up top, this is the most famous landmark in Jakarta. The monument was commissioned by Sukarno in 1961 to celebrate Indonesia’s independence, it was completed in 1975 after his death and is consequently known irreverently as Sukarno’s Last Erection. The 1 sq.km. Medan Merdeka (Freedom Square) plaza/park around it was created by bulldozing a squatter community. Note that only the north entrance, via a poorly signposted pedestrian tunnel, is currently open.
*National History Museum
(Museum Sejarah Nasional). In the basement of Monas — look for the small staircases leading down from the outside — is a collection of dioramas depicting the struggle for Indonesian independence from a firmly revolutionary point of view. More amusing than educational, but entry is free with your Monas ticket.
* Prince Diponegoro
Surapati Park, Jl. Diponegoro, Jakarta Pusat. This statue commemorated the rebellion against Dutch occupation (1825-1830), led by Prince Diponegoro from Kingdom of Mataram, Jogjakarta.
* Welcome To Jakarta
“Selamat Datang”, on HI roundabout. This statue commemorated the return of Indonesian government from Jogjakarta to Jakarta on December 28, 1949. Created by Edhi Sunarso, designed by Henk Ngantung, a former governor of Jakarta.
* Adam Malik Museum
Jalan Diponegoro 29. The late Adam Malik is a former Indonesian vice president, the president of UN general assembly (1971) and journalist. Beautiful collection of Asian porcelain, art, and cameras.
* Forestry Museum
Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Senayan, Jakarta Pusat.
* Proclamation Museum
Jl Pegangsaan Timur 56, Central Jakarta. On August 17, 1945, Soekarno and Hatta proclaim the Independence of Indonesia at 56, Pegangsaan Timur Street. There are 2 giant statues of Soekarno and Hatta.
* Taman Prasasti
Gravestones museum. Jalan Tanah Abang I Tanah Abang Jakarta 10160. Gravestones of famous people during Dutch occupation (1700-1945). Statues, hearse, and a beautiful park.
* Textile Museum
Jl. Aipda KS. Tubun 2-4, Central Jakarta 11410. Batik, Kain Tenun, Songket etc.
*Diamond City Hanging Bridge
Jl Nelayan Barat / Jl. Kali Besar Barat. The central bridge of old Batavia (17th century).Build in 1628 as English Bridge/”Engelse Brug”. In 1655 it was renovated and renamed as Central Bridge/”Het Middelpunt Brug”. In 1938 it was renovated and renamed as “Juliana Bridge”. This bridge is built near “Diamond” Fort (17th century).
* Reformation Monument
Trisakti University, JL Kyai Tapa No 1, Grogol, Jakarta 11440. This statue commemorated the killing of 4 Trisakti University students by Police/Military snipers during a demonstration on May 12, 1998. The killing was followed by a widespread riots all over Jakarta from May 13 to May 15, 1998.
* Space Man
“Patung Dirgantara/Pancoran”, on Pancoran roundabout. This statue commemorated the achievment of Indonesian airforce in defending Indonesian territory. Created by Edhi Sunarso and Keluarga Arca from Jogjakarta. Now, it’s difficult to see this statue because the statue is partially covered by Tebet flyover/toll road bridges.
* Djoko Sutono
Police Academy (PTIK) Jl. Tirtayasa 6, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. This statue commemorated Professor DR. Djoko Sutono, SH, the founder of Indonesian Police Academy.
* Gajah Mada
Indonesian Police HQ, Jl. Trunojoyo 3, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. This statue commemorated the establishment of Bhayangkara / Police corps led by Patih Gajah Mada from Majapahit Kingdom (14th century).
* Youth Spirit
on the roundabout at the southern end of Jendral Soedirman street. Created by Moenir Pamoentjak. This statue commemorated the struggle for Independence by young students/”Tentara Pelajar”. This statue is often called “Pizza Delivery”.
* Basoeki Abdullah
Jl. Keuangan Raya No.19, Cilandak Barat. The late Basoeki Abdullah was a famous painter in Indonesia and Dutch. Collection: hundreds of beautiful paintings, sculpture, masks, watches.
* Harry Darsono
Jl. Cilandak Tengah No. 71 Jakarta Selatan. Harry Darsono PhD is a famous, multi talented designer. His famous design include fashion, batik, and furniture. He is also a lecturer at universities, amateur musician, and wine connosieur. Collection: fashion, textile, batik, antique piano.
* Police Museum
jl. Trunojoyo 1, Jakarta Selatan.
* Satria Mandala
(formerly Wisma Yaso), Jl. Gatot Soebroto, Jakarta Selatan. Military Museum. Wisma Yaso is the former residence of Indonesian first president, Soekarno.
* Sasmita Loka
The former house of Gen. Ahmad Yani who was kidnapped and murdered in the communist attempt to stage a coup in 1965. The house right now has become a museum. Getting there Transjakarta Busway line IV (Pasar Rumput) (Beginning 15 January 2007).
*Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
(TMII)/Beautiful Miniature Indonesia Park. East Jakarta. Feature: art and cultural show, handicraft, bird park, museums, orchid garden etc. Located near Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta,
*Utankayu Art Community
Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H Jakarta 13120, Movie, drama, paintings, music show, poem, etc.
* Heroes
“Perjuangan Rakyat Jatinegara”, on Jatinegara triangle park, East Jakarta. This statue commemorated the heroic struggle for Indonesian Independence by Jatinegara residence in 1945.
* Pancasila
on Taman Mini Indonesia Indah complex. This statue commemorated the declaration of Indonesian five basic principles (Pancasila) on June 1, 1945.
* Gajah Mada
on Telecommunication Museum at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Complex. This statue commemorated “Sumpah Palapa” declaration by patih Gajah Mada from Kingdom of Majapahit (14th century).
* Telecommunication Museum, from telegraph to satellite.
* Science Museum.
* Military Museum (Museum Keprajuritan).
* Stamp Museum.
* Transportation Museum
cars, trains, cart.
* Energy Museum
electric equipments, oil drilling etc.
* Sports Museum.
* Insect Museum.
* Asmat Museum
Asmat is a tribe from Irian Jaya/Papua.
* Museum Purna Bhakti Pertiwi
houses souvenirs of former president Soeharto, received as gifts from domestic conglomerates and world leaders.
* Jakarta Port Authority’s Lookout Tower
“Menara Syahbandar”, on the corner of Jl Pakin and Jl Pasar Ikan, Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta 14440. Established in 1834. Old canons.
List of resorts:
* Angel Island
“Pulau Bidadari”, approx. 30 minutes by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (15 km). Facility: cottages, water sports, historic place (ruin of Martello Tower). Nearby islands: Heaven Island/”Pulau Kahyangan” (formerly Cipir Island) and historic Onrust Island (ruin of a Dutch/VOC fort).
* Ayer Island
approx. 30 minutes by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (14 km). Facility: cottages, bungalows, beautiful beaches, swimming pool, children’s pool, 2 tennis courts, badminton courts, volley ball courts, table tennis, indoor games room, motor boat, canoes, banana boat, jet skis, fishing, fun bikes, jogging track, giant chess, children playground, billiard, karaoke, meeting rooms. Ayer restaurant & bar, Manokwari coffee shop, room service, laundry, souvenirs shop.
* Big Bira Island
“Pulau Bira Besar”, approx. 3 hours by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (100 km). Facility: cottages, 9 holes golf course, swimming pool, bike track, children playground, fishing.
* Pantara Islands
(formerly Ghost Islands/”Pulau Hantu”), approx. 2 hours by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (72 km). Facility: great diving, snorkeling, catamarans, wind surfing, jet skiing. One of the best area for diving in Thousand Islands.
* Kulkul Kotok Island
approx. 90 minutes by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (55 km). Facility: cottages, bungalow, beautiful beaches and coral reef, diving, jogging track, seafood restaurant, bar, close to beautiful nature conservation area.
* Princess Island
“Pulau Putri”, approx. 90 minutes by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (55 km). Facility: beautiful beaches, diving and snorkeling, large underwater aquarium, tennis courts, mini zoo.
* Sepa Island
approx. 90 minutes by speedboat from the Ancol Marina (55 km). Facility: cottages, beautiful beaches, glass bottom boat, banana boat, jet ski, fishing boat, diving, water sports. Western, Chinese and seafood restaurant. Discotheque. Near nature conservation area.
