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 . Jakarta currently is the eleventh largest city, fifth
largest metropolitan area and ninth most densely populated city in the world with 44,283
people per sq mile. 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, which is known as
"TransJakarta" or "Busway." Jakarta had hoped to establish its newest transportation
system, the Jakarta Monorail, in 2007, but the project has been delayed and its
completion date will very likely be pushed back. Jakarta also is the location of the
Indonesia Stock Exchange and the National Monument.
Jakarta's nickname among expats is the Big Durian, and like its fruit namesake it's a
shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 10 million
people packed into a vast urban sprawl, the contrast between the obscene wealth of
Indonesia's elite and the appalling poverty of the urban poor is incredible, with tinted-
window BMWs turning left at the Gucci shop into muddy lanes full of begging street
children and corrugated iron shacks. The city's traffic is in perpetual gridlock, its polluted
air is matched only by the smells of burning garbage and open sewers, and safety is a
concern especially at night. There are few sights to speak of and most visitors transit as
quickly as possible.
Keep in mind that rules and regulations are very rarely enforced in all aspects of life in
Jakarta. This is not so much an encouragement for you, but an explanation on why many
of its citizens act so haphazardly, particularly on the road.
All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can
afford to indulge in her charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting
cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from cosmopolitan shopping at Plaza Senayan to
one of the hippest nightlife scenes in Southeast Asia.
The port of Sunda Kelapa dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese
kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day Bogor. The first Europeans to arrive were the
Portuguese, who were given the permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran
to erect a godown in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was
conquered by Prince Fatahillah, a Muslim prince from Cirebon, who changed the name to
Jayakarta.
By the end of the 16th century, however, the Dutch (led by Jan Pieterszoon Coen) had
pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619
secured their hold on the island. Under the name Batavia, the new Dutch town became
the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the Queen of the East.
However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging
canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death
rates and earning the town the epithet White Man's Graveyard. In the early 1800's most
canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4 kilometers inland and the Pearl of the Orient
flourished once again.
The name Jakarta was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city conquered by
the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with
the capital briefly shifted out to Yogyakarta after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until
1949, when the Dutch accepted Indonesian independence and handed back the town,
which became Indonesia's capital again.
Since independence Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, mostly thanks to migrants
coming to the city in search of wealth. The entire Jabotabek (Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-
Bekasi) region is estimated to have 16-18 million people, a figure projected to double to
30 million by 2016. The official name of the city is Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta Raya
(DKI Jakarta), meaning "Special Capital City Region".
PLACE TO VISIT
Development Movement - 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 - 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 - Created by Matvei Manizer and Otto Manizer (from Russia). This
statue commemorated the struggle for Independence by Indonesian farmers and their
family.
Mahabharata Monument- is at the southwest corner of Medan Merdeka, in front
of Indosat building. Created by Nyoman Nuarta.
National Monument - 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.
Medan Merdeka - it was created by bulldozing a squatter community. Entry to the
monument costs Rp 1100 (including Rp 100 "insurance"!), open 9 AM to 4 PM daily. Note
that only the north entrance, via a poorly signposted pedestrian tunnel, is currently open.
Welcome To Jakarta - 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.
National Museum - Has a fine collection of stone Hindu sculptures and cultural
artifacts from around the region, as well as an impressive treasure room filled with gold
items. Look out for the elephant statue at front, a gift from the King of Siam (Thailand) in
1871.
Diamond City Hanging Bridge - 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- 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.
Jakarta History Museum - the exterior is more interesting than the interior,
which seems to consist mostly of tables and chairs labeled "made from teakwood, 18th
century, Batavia". The exhibit on prehistoric Jakarta is mildly interesting though, and the
colonial-style Museum Cafe (entry from the inner courtyard) provides a nice Cafe Batavia
experience at under half the price.
Puppet Museum - Located on the west of Taman Fatahillah. Houses a good
collection of wayang (puppets) from all around Indonesia and a few from around the
world, labeled in English (well, sort of). Best visited on the last Sunday of every month,
when free wayang kulit (shadow theater) performances complete with full-scale gamelan
orchestra are held hourly from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Space Man- 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.
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".
Heroes - This statue commemorated the heroic struggle for Indonesian
Independence by Jatinegara residence in 1945.
WHAT TO DO
Cinema - Movie theatre are a more affordable escape at around Rp25,000 for a plush
seat in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware the heavy hand of the Indonesian
censor though. The price of popcorn, drinks are exorbitant. Several cinemas also show
Indian, Chinese and Indonesian movies. The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia is 21
group. Website: 21 Cineplex
Fitness center - Large hotels provide free fitness centers for guests. Some hotels
have sauna, spa, tennis court and jogging track.
Golf - Golf is the number one pastime of the upper classes and, as so many other
things here, relatively cheap by Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp60,
000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are
considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and up.
Bowling The fee for a game is US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00. Guest can rent bowling shoes
etc. The length of the lanes are 32 feet.
Soccer Do not watch any soccer match in Jakarta, because the supporters often turn
into hooligans/rioters. During and after certain soccer games, foreign tourists should not
go near the Senayan sports complex.
HOW TO REACH
By Plane - Soekarno Hatta International Airport at Tangerang, Banten. All
international and nearly all domestic flights land here 20 km (12 miles) to the northwest
of the city. The unintuitive airport code comes from Cengkareng, a district near the airport.
There are only two seasons in Jakarta – dry season and rainy season. During the raining
season the road to and from Cengkareng can be flooded, so be prepared and allow
more time to reach the airport if you have a flight to catch.
By train - The current main station for long distance passengers in Jakarta is the
Gambir station, located in Central Jakarta, just east of the Monas. Eksekutif (AC) and
some bisnis (non-AC) class trains depart from this station. Trains to Bandung are
frequent, providing almost a two-hourly service, departing throughout the day. Most trains
to farther cities (Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Malang and Surabaya) depart
in the mornings and the late afternoon to the evening.
More economical trains without air-conditioning generally use the Pasar Senen station
located two blocks east of Gambir. Beware that the location is rife with crime.
Most trains arriving in Jakarta also stop at Jatinegara station in the eastern part of the city,
giving better access to the eastern and southern parts of the city.
By bus - Passengers from other cities arrive in bus terminals such as Kampung
Rambutan (Southeast Jakarta), Pulo Gadung (East Jakarta) or Lebak Bulus (South
Jakarta). You'll need to speak at least functional Indonesian to manage, and the
terminals are notorious for muggers and pickpockets, so observe the safety precautions
By boat - The national ferry company, PELNI, and other sealines, operate passenger
services to destinations across the archipelago from Tanjung Priok port in the North of
the city. Some smaller speedboats, particularly to the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu),
depart from Ancol also on Jakarta's north shore.
