Indonesia Traveling Guide

Jakarta is the dynamic capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, a country composed of more than 17,000 islands with a population of over 200 millions. Comprising more than 300 ethnic groups speaking 200 distinct languages and dialects, the Indonesian population exhibit incredible diversity in its linguistic, cultural and religious traditions. As the nation capital, Jakarta is truly a "meeting point" of representatives from troughout the archipelago.

Jakarta is the lively social, cultural, economic and political hub of the nation, carrying a legacy of more than 30 years of largely uninterrupted economic expansion. It is home to many of the country's finest research institutions, educational facilities and cultural organizations, and uniquely serves both as the seat of national as well as regional government.

Strategically positioned on the west side of the island of Java, the Capital City is the principal gateway to the rest of Indonesia. From Jakarta, sophisticated land, air and sea transport is available to the rest of the country.

Jakarta Major Attractions

Sunda Kelapa Harbor
Jalan Maritim Raya North Jakarta

The old port area of Sunda Kelapa remains today a bustling hub for those involved in the vibrant interfiled trade, along with being a center of activity for fresh fish auctioneers. Graceful Bugis phinisi s choosers, the world's last wind powered sailing fleet used for trade, still berth at the quay as they have for centuries, receiving and shipping out a wide range of the islands' bounty. Best visited in the early morning.

Fatahillah Square
Jl. Taman Fatahillah No. 1 West Jakarta

Located in the historic Old Jakarta Kota area, the Taman Fatahillah square offers three of the city's most interesting museums. Once the heart of the colonial administration in the 18th century, the square underwent a major restoration in the 1970's. A fountain in the middle of the square once served as the main water supply for the former colonial capital. The Portuguese cannon on the north side of the square is reportedly an impressive font of fertility.

National Monument (Picture - above showing)
Jl. Medan Merdeka Central Jakarta

The National Monuments one of the many monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. The 137-metre tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kgs of gold, and represents the people's determination to achieve the freedom. It towers over Merdeka (Freedom) Square, and serves as Jakarta's most prominent landmark. The monument is open to the public and houses a historical museum and meditation hall. An elevator carries visitors to the top, offering a bird?s eye view across the city to the sea.

Indonesia in Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah)

An extensive park to get a glimpse of the diverseness of the Indonesian archipelago, it represents Indonesia's 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.

Ancol Jakarta Baycity

This is Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park. Its extensive range of attractions includes sea and fresh-water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, as well as an assortment of nightclubs restaurants, and massage parlors.

The Ancol complex includes a marina, Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy Land), a golf course, hotels and a drive-in theatre. The 'Pasar Seni' or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. An open-air theatre features live performances by local artists.

Thousand Islands

These are islands whose names have become synonymous with the legend and mystique of the far east Bali, Java, Borneo. What many people may not know though is that within the Greater Jakarta area is a much smaller arch pelagic chain of paradise island called Kepulauan Seribu, or Thousand Islands.

While the Thousand Island epithet sounds romantic, in reality there are actually closer to three hundred island in the chain. Even this number is not exact, since some atolls and islets are so small that they disappear and reappear according to the tides. In term of natural beauty and exclusivity these are some of the finest islands in the region, offering all the classic elements of balmy tropical holiday, white sandy beaches, and all the marine and aquatic diversions to keep you as active, or inactive, as you like.

There are so many great attractions vacationers can explore within Jakarta. For more information click HERE