Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, and it’s a city laden with a hassle and bustle of activity. Jakarta is locally known as the ‘Big Durian’ unfortunately because of the strong smell of the Southeast Asian fruit.
Holidaymakers and tourists alike assume Jakarta to be the access point of Indonesia which is mainly valid. However, if you pass through the city and have some time on your hands, there is a wide array of attractions and activities to engage in.
Jakarta is a good starting point to learn about the rich history of Indonesia, and whilst there, you can pay homage to the culture-rich locations within the city. You can check into a Jakarta luxury hotel for housing space, which is guaranteed to have world-class amenities.
You will also find that Jakarta is one of the most modern cities in Southeast Asia, and as such, you can visit some of the renowned malls, bars, and restaurants. In this review, we will look at some of the activities you can engage in while in Jakarta.
Some of The Activities to Engage in While in Jakarta Include:
Shopping in Menteng
One of the best ways to spend time in Jakarta is shopping, and assuming you need to exploit this fully, head to the region of Menteng, which is renowned for its swap meet.
Here you will discover an immense scope of items, including art, textiles, and even foodstuffs. The principal market in Menteng is known as Jalan Surabaya, which initially began functioning during the 70s and is renowned for its collectibles.
A portion of the signature items that you will discover here include fancy wood carvings and disc records, and the market covers over half a kilometer in length which means even when you are on a budget, you will still get items to buy.
Visit Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace)
Istana Merdeka sits in the focal point of Jakarta and is the official residence of the president. The palace is in close proximity to Merdeka Square.
Being the official palace in Indonesia, Istan Merdeka is not open to the public. However, it’s worth passing by and seeing the outline that this is one of the most historically significant buildings in South-East Asia.
The structure dates back to 1879, and it is here that the memorable flag swapping service transpired when the Dutch Colonial rule ended, and Indonesia became independent
Visit the Ragunan Zoo
Ragunan Zoo covers 185 hectares of land, and there are more than 3000 species of flora and fauna here. Some of the animals that call this impeccable zoo home are the Orangutan and the Komodo Dragon
The zoo is likewise blessed with a variety of pretty native blossoms and is a beautiful spot to come to get familiar with Indonesian natural life.
The zoo is closed to the public on Mondays, and you advised when you visit to apply plenty of insect repellent spray or jelly to ward off the creeping insects.
Sun Bask on Ancol Beach
You probably won’t envision that a major city like Jakarta has a seashore; however, it does. The beach in Jakarta is known as the Ancol Beach.
The seashore here comprises a strip of brilliant golden sand that edges along the oceanfront, and albeit this is, in fact, a public seashore, you will have to pay an entry fee which is used for maintenance of the beach.
There are various pools along the shoreline, and you can lean back on a leased chair and appreciate the setting outside the bustling city. Around the beach, you will also find other attractions such as the water park and sea world.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, Jakarta is a splendid city bustling with life and activity, as illustrated above. Therefore, as an individual visiting Indonesia for vacationing purposes, you should consider Jakarta a key area to visit.
