Jakarta Tourism Travel Guide

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Jakarta Tourism Travel Guide and Tourist Information.

Jakarta is the capital and the largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest of the island of Java. As the capital city, Jakarta is a melting pot of representatives from each of these ethnic groups. Jakarta is a special territory enjoying the status of a province, consisting of Greater Jakarta, covering of 637.44 square km area. Located on the northern coast of West Java, it is the center of government, commerce and industry and has an extensive communications network with the rest of the country and the outside world. Strategically positioned in the archipelago, the city is also the principal gateway to the rest of Indonesia. From the capital city, sophisticated land, air, and sea transport is available to the rest of the country and beyond.

Jakarta is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land. It has the largest and most modern airport in the country, the most important harbor in Indonesia and is well connected by rail of good roads to other destinations in Java, Sumatra, and Bali. As Indonesia's main gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport serves a growing number of international airlines and domestic flights. Jakarta is a city of contrasts; the traditional and the modern, the rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly, often stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Even its population gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural groups, which compose Indonesia, are constantly juxtaposed present reminder of the national motto; Unity in Diversity.

Finding its origin in the small early 16th century harbor town of Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's founding is thought to have taken place on June 22, 1527, when it was re-named Jayakarta, meaning Glorious Victory by the conquering Prince Fatahillah from neighboring Cirebon. The Dutch East Indies Company, which captured the town and destroyed it in 1619, changed its name into Batavia and made it the center for the expansion of their power in the East Indies. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Batavia fell into the hands of the invading Japanese forces that changed the name of the city into 'Jakarta' as a gesture aimed at winning the sympathy of the Indonesians. The name was retained after Indonesia achieved national independence after the war's end.

The ethnic of Jakarta called "Orang Betawi" speaks Betawi Malay, spoken as well in the surrounding towns such as Bekasi and Tangerang. Their language, Betawi Malay, has two variations: conventional Betawi Malay, spoken by elder people and bred in Jakarta, and modern Jakarta Malay, a slang form spoken by the younger generation and migrants.

Over the last several decades, Jakarta has proudly developed into one of Asia's most prominent metropolitan centers, also 12-largest city in the world. Today, Jakarta's skyline is covered by modern high rises, high cost of living and very crowd. The many state-of-the-art shopping centers, recreation complexes and toll-roads have become hallmarks of the city. The quality of life and the general welfare of its inhabitants have improved considerably with the city's fast pace of development. Jakarta's cultural richness and dynamic growth contribute significantly to its growing importance as one of the world's leading capital cities.

Jakarta tourism travel guide and tourist information popular destination :

National Monument.
The National Monument, or in Indonesia call it Monumen Nasional "Monas" as it is popularly called, is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. The top of the National Monument (Monas) is Freedom Square. 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.
Construction of the monument started in 1961 under President Soekarno but was not completed until 1975, under President Soeharto. The monument houses a couple of museums. The Freedom Hall depicts Indonesia's struggle for independence through a series of dioramas, whereas the Hall of Contemplation displays the original Declaration of Independence document and a recording of the speech.
This monument, symbolizing the nation's independence, is situated at the center of Taman Medan Merdeka (Medan Merdeka Square). Its architecture is designed as a Lingga and Yoni, The Hindu symbol of fertility. Near the monument is a statue of Prince Diponegoro on horseback. This hero fought the Dutch in the Java War (1925-1930). After his capture he was jailed in the town hall of Batavia before being banished to Makassar, Sorth Sulawesi.

Ancient Inscription Museum.
The piece of land of former Dutch cemetery called Kebon Jahe Kober has been arranged to be a shaded and green garden with various kinds of tropical plants grown on it, and has be come a place of intensive supports for both artistic and historical values. This land was designed as grave for the Dutch, especially for officials and important prominent figures.
After Indonesia gained its independence this land was still used for the public, especially the Christian people. Since 1975 Kebon Jahe graveyard was closed, and by seeing the existing potentials, preservation and rearrangement of the selected inscriptions and gravestones were performed on that land of 1,3 ha.
On 7 July 1977 pat of the land of the former Kebon Jahe Graveyard was inaugurated to be inscription Museum by the then DKI Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin. Knowing the inscription would mean to know the works of talented designers, painters and sculptors cast as a materialization of deep expression of the people who gave the order or the users, because as if inscription was able to talk on what we need to know.
This Museum displays gravestones from various Dutch names and prominent figures like Major General J. H. R. Kohler, Dr. W.F. Stuterheim, Dr. F. Roll, Pieter Erberveld and others. Are a row of other names like Olivia M. Raffles, Miss Riboet, Soe Hok Gie and others who was berried or moved to this location since the 17th century until the 1900s.

Cathedral Church.
This tall and beautiful church on the northern corner of Banteng Square is called Saint Mary's Cathedral. All catholic religious ceremonies were once held here. In the mid-1800s the Governor General at that time issued a decree that all affairs related to religious ceremonies be the responsibility of the Catholic Church. As a result, in 1879 the church was in such a state from overuse that is was considered dangerous. A year later one of the pillars collapsed and it was obvious that much effort and money would be needed to restore the building to its former state. Restoration went ahead and in 1901 the church was ready. It was officially opened by Bishop E.F. Leupen on April 21. At present it is still the most beautiful church in Jakarta.

Heirloom Museum.
The Heirloom Museum was built in order to complete the image of the highly valued Indonesian culture seen from another angle, there are various kind of heirlooms and the philosophical meaning hat is contained in it is closely related with the religious and cultural, system prevailing in the community.
The museum located at Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII)).

Istiqlal Mosque.
Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal or Independence Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia in term of capacity to accommodate people and building structure. This national mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence, as nation's gratitude for God's blessings; the independence of Indonesia. Therefore the national mosque of Indonesia was named "Istiqlal", an Arabic word for "Independence".
The mosque was constructed to conform to then-President Sukarno's grand vision of a strong, multi-faith state with the government at its center: Istiqlal Mosque stands across the street from the Catholic Jakarta Cathedral, and both places of worship stand next to Merdeka Square, home to Monas (National Monument) which towers over them both.
Visitors to Istiqlal Mosque will be awed by the sheer scale of the mosque. The mosque covers a nine-hectare area; the structure has five levels, with a massive prayer hall at the center topped off by a large dome supported by twelve pillars.
The main structure is flanked with plazas on the south and east sides that can hold more worshippers. The mosque is clad in over a hundred thousand square yards of marble sheathing brought from the Tulungagung regency in east Java.
The prayer hall in the main building is positively cavernous - non-Muslim visitors may observe it from one of the upper floors. The floor area is estimated to be over 6,000 square yards. The floor itself is sheathed with a red carpet donated by Saudi Arabia The main hall can accommodate 16,000 worshippers. The five floors surrounding the prayer hall can accommodate 60,000 more. When the mosque is not filled to capacity, the upper floors serve as classroom areas for religious instruction, or as rest areas for visiting pilgrims.
The courtyards on the south and east sides of the mosque have a total area of about 35,000 square yards, and provide additional space for about 40,000 more worshippers, a valuable space particularly during the high-traffic days of Ramadan.
Construction took place between 1961 and 1967, but the mosque was only officially opened after Sukarno's overthrow. His successor as President of Indonesia, Suharto, opened the mosque's doors in 1978.

National Museum.
On April 24, 1778, a group of Dutch intellectuals established 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.
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 elephant 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 Indonesian Culture Council and on September 17, 1962 it was handed over to the Indonesian government and became the Central Museum. By decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of May 28, 1979 it was renamed to the National Museum. National Museum 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 National Museum houses collections of 109,342 objects under the categories of prehistory, archaeology, ethnography, numismatics-heraldic, geography and historical relics.

Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park/Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII).
Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park or in Indonesia call it Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is Indonesia's answer to every visitor's prayer to see the magnificent archipelago in just one day. 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. An extensive theme park set in over 100 hectares on the outskirts of Jakarta; the All Indonesian islands are realistically reproduced in miniature in a central lake and around the lakes, there are pavilions. Each pavilions is representative of each province firm the traditional architectural style in miniature to a wonderful display of cultural items and exhibits. The park's centerpiece is a beautiful artificial lake. The complex was the brainchild of Madam Tien Soeharto, the late Indonesian first lady.
It also 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. The 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).
Keong Emas means Golden Snail. This theater is easily recognized because the roof takes the shape a golden snail. Located in the Taman Mini, the Imax Theater presents "Beautiful Indonesia" on a gigantic screen using the latest Imax system. The theater was first open to the public on April 20, 1984 and it's enormous screen, using the latest Imax System, has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest screen in the world during the 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 edition. This theater is located in East Jakarta, in the complex area of the Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah), which was also built on the initiative of Madame Tien Suharto.
The Keong Emas Imax Theater has become one of the most popular attractions where lots of tourists, domestic and foreign, young and adult, especially groups of children visit. Besides the large dimension of the screen, the theater also has another feature that makes it attractive: the films are displayed in three dimensions (3D). The subjects of the movies on display are mainly "Beautiful Indonesia" related to its culture and art, as well as its environment and the places around Indonesia. All in all, the main purpose of the movies is to highlight Indonesia's beauty on the big screen and attract tourism.

Jaya Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol).
Jaya Ancol Dreamland or in Indonesia call it Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, an amusement park in north Jakarta, Indonesia, is one of the most attractive places serving the densely populated city of Jakarta. It has all the adventures people crave for; Sea World, Fantasy World, Atlantis Water Adventure and Marina Beach. 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. 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.
Inside the Ancol Dreamland, there is Ancol Art Market, it is outdoor art market likely recreational place where we will be most tempted to purchase something. Items include antiques, handicrafts, painting, potters, and knickknacks. With many of the artisans working on site, it is a paradise for souvenir hunters and art lovers. This colorful open-air market located in the Ancol Amusement Park provides the unique experience of not only buying quality Indonesian arts and craft, but also a chance to see and meet the artisans at work. We can watch puppet makers, wood-carvers, painters, and many other craft makers from throughout the archipelago cheerfully working on their creations. At this art and handicraft market, visitors get to watch Indonesian artists creating their masterpieces. Hundreds of artists from all over the country congregate here to exhibit their work, making the spot a fascinating place for tourists and art connoisseurs. We can even get a portrait of our self-done. Both traditional and modern art and crafts are on display, including paintings, sculptures, traditional Indonesian wayang kulit (leather puppets), gemstone jewelry and many other artistic products.
On this place also visitor can found the Sea World, Sea World is a high tech modern huge aquarium exhibiting the special and diverse tropical marine life found throughout the Indonesian waters. Stroll through Freshwater World and Micro world, see beautiful tropical fish and corral reefs, and get friendly with marine life at the Touch pool. A theater screens movies about the underwater world and a necessity is the Antasena Tunnel, a walk-through acrylic tube that gives first hand experience of life under the sea. This giant aquarium proudly introduces visitors to more than 4,000 fish and sharks from 300 species. Sea World has great many attractions to its credit; it has a Dolphin Show that is quite popular and a gallery, which showcases many of sea creatures from all over the world.

Fantasy Land.
Dunia Fantasi or Fantasy World/Fantasy Land or in Indonesial know as "Dufan" is a fun and theme park designed to entertain the visitors into the fascinating worlds of modern science and technology. 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.
This colossal recreational resort faces the enchanting Jakarta Bay. Its prime attraction is Fantasyland, an amusement park that keeps children, especially, entertained the entire day. Fantasy world is the host of many of the amusement rides and the most popular of them is a roller coaster ride called Halilinter. The park has other themes also. Art buffs and tourists who search of souvenirs should visit Pasar Seni art and handicraft market. Others might like to check out Sea World (a giant aquarium) for an educational tour on marine life or Ancol Water Park for yet more fun. The Ancol Marina operates as the gateway to the neighboring Thousand Islands. The facilities take visitors on imagination tours of Africa, America and Indonesia through some breath taking games.

Waterboom Park.
Waterboom Jakarta is now open as the leading water park and recreation destination in Jakarta. Waterbom name appeared in 1993 when Waterbom Bali was first opened to the public. Waterbom get much attention from domestic and foreign tourists because of its quality and international standard. Waterboom Jakarta officially opened at 2007, with the theme of Urban Cool, beautiful landscape design offers a relaxing atomosfir with exciting water rides as well as suspenseful. Waterbom name has now been recognized as a leader in service, entertainment and high standardization.
Waterbom Jakarta offers an advanced water purification process that is unique and without chlorine. The water quality is very friendly environment and human health, especially the skin, eyes and hair. For the safety of visitors, all Lifeguard pass exams to get certified and pass the test of international Safety Standard Guard. Duty physician also always ready for hours of operation, an integrated security system throughout the garden area.

Sunda Kelapa.
Sunda Kelapa, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. 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. This 500-year-old harbor area was a vital link to markets of the outside world for the 15th century kingdom of Pajajaran. It was formerly the harbor town of Sunda Kelapa where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century. Since than this port has belonged to the portuguese and Dutch.
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 inter island port. Tall-misted Bugis schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer a picturesque scene. They belong to one of the last-fleets of sailboats in the world and still ply the seas between the islands, as they did centuries ago, carrying merchandise.
Tough little remains of bustling old Sunda Kelapa except the name, the harbor is still one of the most important calls for sailing vessels from all over Indonesia. The magnificent and brightly painted Makassar schooner called Pinisi is still an important means of transporting goods to and from the outer islands. This is one of the finest sights in Jakarta.
Wander around the old Sunda Kelapa port, watching gangs of sinew-stretched coolies smoking pungent clove-laced cigarettes unload cargos of timber, coal and spices from stunning wooden schooners. Hire a dugout canoe and paddlers and enjoy the waterside scenery. The boats also go to the nearby old fish market

Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu).
The name of Pulau Seribu or Thousand Islands has been well known since the Batavia era, and its like island complex. when Indonesia got the independence the beauty of the islands and its water become publicized. The growth of Indonesian economy between 1970s to 1998 have given a great impact on the environment of Pulau Seribu. The need of recreation place a bit far from clumsy mammoth of Jakarta drove the eyes of businessmen o the islands by building various resorts which is ready to indulge the welfare resident of Jakarta city.
Thousand Isles near Jakarta has been a favorite destination for ages. Paradiso, containing four island's Kahyangan (formerly known as Cipir), Bidadari (used to be called Sakit), Onrust and Kelor offer spectacular views of the forest and the sea. The name Paradiso indeed comes from Paradise, for 'Kahyangan' in Indonesian means 'Heaven' in English, and 'Bidadari' means 'Angel'. Dotted throughout Jakarta Bay are 120 tropical islands and coral atolls known, rather misleadingly, as the Thousand Islands. This group of islands in the Jakarta Bay offers a heaven 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.
Some of the islands in this group developed for tourism are Bidadari Island, Anyer Island, Laki Island and Putri Island. Tanjung Island is near Putri Island and has an airstrip. There are cabins for hire, having fresh water on Air Island and Bidadari Island only. The Putri Island Paradise Co. has developed Putri Island, Melintang Island, Petondan Island and Papa Island.

Ragunan Zoo.
Ragunan zoo in South Jakarta is a popular place to visit, particularly during holidays. 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. The new primates are centered at Ragunan Zoo. It's a world-class facility and guaranteed to entertain and educate both the young and young at heart.
According to its history, Taman Margasatwa Ragunan, or Ragunan Wildlife Reserve, was first set up by a Dutch flora and fauna lovers organization. The organization, the Vereneging Plantenen Dierentuin at Batavia, set up the park on a 10-hectare plot of land in Cikini Raya Street 2, South Jakarta in 1864. The park, Plantenen Dierentuin, was moved to the present location in 1964 to accommodate the city's development plan. In the new location, the park was given a 10-hectare plot of land, but now it occupies 135 hectares of land. This zoo was located at Cikini until 1964, when the site was no longer large enough to accommodate its rapid expansion. Reopened in 1966, the zoo now exhibits 550 species of tropical plants and animals from Indonesia and around the world. Endangered species bred here include the Sumatran tiger, Komodo dragon, dwarf buffalo and bird of paradise.
Nowdays, the zoo is busy preparing a 10-hectare enclosure, which was described by the director as the largest and most luxurious one in the world, for the new guests. The spot is ideal for family excursions and picnics amid the abundant flora. Come during weekdays when it is less crowded, and it become crowded on Sunday and public holidays.

1945 Struggle for Freedom Museum.
1945 Struggle for Freedom Museum is located at Menteng Raya Street 31, Central Jakarta. In 1938, a Dutch businessman named LC Schomper, built a hotel called Schomper, I at Menteng Area. The hotel was built as a place to spend nights for high officials of the Nederland, foreign Entrepreneurs, and high officials of local government.
During the colonization of the Japanese Empire in Indonesia youth and it was turned into a boarding house and Education center for Indonesian Youth in order to learn nationalism. Soekarno (1st Indonesian President), Mohammad Hatta (1st Indonesian Vice President), Adam Malik Chaerul Saleh and many other youth generations of Indonesia are involved in the educations process inside.
After the building was renovated and repaired Gedung Menteng 31 was officially established as Museum Joang 45 on August 19, 1974, by former President Soeharto and former governor of Jakarta Ali Sadikin. The name, Museum Joang 45' is chosen as the building has played great role on the Independence if Indonesia and could become a site for the inheritance process of invaluable struggle values in 1945.