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Jakarta lies on the northern coastline of west Java. It is Indonesia's centre of government, industry and commerce and is well connected with the rest of Indonesia and the world. It is a bustling metropolis enlivened by the stark contrast between rich and poor, the modern and the traditional, the sacred and the worldly. There are also a wide range of Jakarta hotels and Jakarta tours to help you explore this lively city.

Jakarta is a must if you want to get to know the real Indonesia!

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In Jakarta you can find everything - history, culture, great places to shop, good restaurants, numerous thing to see and do and a range of Jakarta hotels. The official national language is Bahasa Indonesia, very like Malay and scripted in the Roman alphabet. In Jakarta over 250 recognised languages are spoken by various ethnic groups. English is the foreign language used by most businesses and the tourism industry and even people in remote areas can speak basic english. Dutch is still spoken as a second language by the older generation.

Look beyond the façade of glass fascias, shabby slums and concrete of Jakarta and you will find the many faces of this city - from a throbbing, decadent nightlife to the steamy, fragrant streets of Chinatown. Here amongst the melting pot of cultures - Ambonese from Maluku, Bataks from Sumatra, Madurese, Balinese and Timorese - you will experience the very essence of Indonesia. An ideal way of getting under the skin of Jakarta is taking a local tour in Jakarta.

For history buffs there are some good museums and areas of the old city (Kota) which provide a fascinating glimpse into Jakarta's rich history. Jakarta may not be a major attraction on the tourist map of the world, but it can give you a real feel of Indonesia and is a great off-the-beaten-path destination.

Jakarta's origins date back to the early sexteenth century when it was Sunda Kelapa, a small harbour town. It was renamed Jayakarta, (Glorious Victory) on June 22, 1527, by Prince Fatahillah from neighbouring Cirebon when he conquered the town. It was renamed yet again as Batavia by the conquering Dutch East Indies Company in 1619. Batavia became the centre of growth for Dutch power in the East Indies. Just after World War II broke out, the Japanese invaded the town and renamed it Jakarta in an attempt to win the sympathy of the Indonesians. When the war ended and Indonesia achieved independence, the name of the city remained.

The centuries-old Betawi culture is unique to Jakarta. It is a colourful blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Arab and Dutch elements. The term "Betawi" originates from 'Batavia', the old Dutch name for Jakarta. You can catch glimpses of the Betawi culture throughout the city - in its wedding celebrations and distinct style of music. You can even use our Jakarta map to choose your hotel in Jakarta based on its location.

You'll have lots of opportunities to experience the traditional dance, theatre and music of Jakarta as the city has many fine performance venues. One of the best of these venues in the country is the Taman Ismail Marzuki (T.I.M.), a wonderful amalgam of gallery, theatre and arts institute. A performance you should definitely opt for is the Wayang Orang (Javanese theatre) which uses a traditional Java façade. The language is Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese. Wayang Orang is based on Javanese legends from the courts of central Java or on the Hindu epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Accompanied by gamelan (Indonesian orchestra), the performance is a happy marriage of comic and dramatic theatre. There is always some dancing and the typical battle scene with the characters fighting for power or opposing evil forces.

We are a locally based company who love our city and have a passion for sustainable tourism. Let us help you plan your ideal Jakarta holiday with our wide range of Jakarta hotels and tours in Jakarta. And if there's anything else we can help you with don't hesitate to contact us!