There are many places worth seeing in Jakarta as well as its outskirts. There is something here to appeal to everyone - from magnificent historic architectural sites for those who are looking for history to amusement parks for the kids.

Jakarta is one of the busiest cities in the world and is an exciting destination to visit.

Our Jakarta Destination Guide below tells you all the highlights of a visit to this vibrant city of Indonesia. Taking a locally run Jakarta tour is the ideal way of exploring all that Jakarta has to offer. Also check out our Indonesia Destination Guide for more general information about travelling throughout Indonesia.

Things to See & Do in Jakarta

The Jalan Pekojan Old Houses
Istana Merdeka/Presidential Palace
Jakarta History Museum
Merdeka Square
Old Batavia
Museum Wayang/Puppet Museum
Sunda Kelapa
Irian Jaya Liberation Monument
Ancol Dreamworld
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
The Bogor Botanic Gardens
The Cibodas Mountain Garden
Orchid Gardens

The Jalan Pekojan Old Houses

These beautiful houses were created for the Chinese community during Chinese colonial rule in the 1770s. Built by Chinese contractors, several of these houses are now temples and ash houses.

Istana Merdeka/Presidential Palace

Once known as Koningsplein Palais, this wonderful example of Indonesia's neoclassical architecture was constructed between 1873 and 1879. The lovely gardens which have been well preserved are not to be missed.

Jakarta History Museum

Reminiscent of Indonesia's Dutch rule, this museum from1627 used to house Batavia's main prison compound. The city was administered from the huge hall with its bell tower and it even housed the law courts.

For reminders of the Dutch period, characterised by its heavy, carved furniture and other such artefacts, visit this museum. You'll also find here pictures of early Batavia, and a collection of gloomy portraits of Dutch governors-general. Inside Old Batavia, south of the square, stands the Jakarta History Museum in the old Batavia Town Hall.

Merdeka Square

This 433ft tall National Monument (Monas) is the finest among Soekarno's great heroes-of-socialism structures. It was built during the marble-and-gold project that began in 1961 and it took 14 years to complete. The phallic symbol on top of which is a gleaming flame represents the country's independence and strength.

The monument soars over the bare Merdeka Square in the centre of Jakarta. The National History Museum constitutes the base of the structure. Here you can see 48 dramatic dioramas, which present a rather overstated and selective view of Indonesian history. For a dramatic (although rarely clear) panorama of Jakarta, take the lift to the top of the structure.

Old Batavia

You can best see the erstwhile Dutch presence in Jakarta in the old town of Batavia. There used to be a gigantic shoreline fortress here, hemmed in by a moat and strong walls. Although many parts of the city were laid to waste by the government in the early 19th century, you can still see plentiful examples of the Dutch influence. Some of Batavia's old buildings are still being used.

In the 1970s, several were restored and turned into museums. Taman Fatahillah, a cobblestone square, is in the heart of the town. To the west you will find the Kali Besar, a great canal that acted as a marker for the high-class residential section of Batavia. The last of the early 18th century large private homes line the west bank of the canal.

If you follow the canal northwards, you will come across a small Dutch drawbridge known as the Chicken Market Bridge. This drawbridge, built in the 17th century, is the only one left in the town. To the north of the city centre, at Kota train station, lies Old Batavia. It is best to go sightseeing in the early morning hours and the late afternoon.

Museum Wayang/Puppet Museum

This quaint one-of-a-kind museum has puppets from all over Indonesia. You can see centuries-old puppets here as well as those from today. Make it a point to take a look at the Wayang Golek and Wayang Kulit and the shadow puppet exhibitions.

Sunda Kelapa

The old port of Sunda Kelapa - where the magnificent Makassar schooners dock - is just a 10-minute walk north from Old Batavia's Taman Fatahillah. It's quite a treat to see these brightly painted ships that transport passengers and freight between the outer islands and Jakarta. In fact, the old port affords one of the most spectacular sights in Jakarta.

For a closer look at the ships, you can hire the services of old men who will row you out in their boats. However, be careful not to bang your head against the gangplanks of the ships or the mooring ropes, and watch out for rubbish falling from the decks. From the Palau Seribu (Thousand Islands) in the Bay of Jakarta, you may be able to watch these majestic schooners sail by.

Irian Jaya Liberation Monument

The statue of a man releasing himself from shackles and chains stands in the middle of the verdant Lapangan Banteng. Locals often refer to this statue as the Incredible Hulk. It was built in 1963 to commemorate the independence of the nation from the Dutch.

Ancol Dreamworld

The Dunia Fantasi theme park in Jakarta boasts more than forty rides and attractions. The park has eight divisions: Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia, Yunani (Greece), Eropa (Europe), Hikayat (Fantasy), Amerika (America) and Balada Kera (Monkey Parody).

The park is most famous for the Halilintar - a twisted roller coaster ride, Istana Boneka (a version of Disney's 'It's a Small World'), the Niagara flume ride and the Balada Kera theatre show. Some of the seasonal attractions here include the Russian Circus, Le Belles cabaret show and the Euro Kids Circus.

Ancol Dreamworld also has water parks with water rides. You can indulge in some bowling and golfing too.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

In 1971, no less than Mme Tien Soeharto conceived the idea for this impressive park in the southeast of Jakarta. Opened in 1975, this 250-acre park is Jakarta's most popular attraction. Regional handicrafts and clothing are displayed in 27 houses around a lagoon. You can visit these houses by boat or view them from a cable car. Taman Mini also has theatres, museums, restaurants, a bird park and an orchid garden. Located at a distance of 18 km from the heart of Jakarta, it can be accessed by metro-mini or bus.

The Bogor Botanic Gardens

This hill station used to be a favourite haunt for Dutch governors-general during colonial times. The main attraction in Bogor is its 200 acre botanical garden (Kebun Raya) in the centre of the city. The gardens were originally used to grow cash-crops like tobacco and tea, but now they are home to more than 15,000 species of plants and trees, which include 400 palm species and 3000 varieties of orchids (not publicly accessible as they are meant for scientific and experimental purposes).

You can see the Presidential Palace here which house Soekarno's art collection (you'll need to make prior arrangements for admission) and the many and varied exhibits from the Zoological Museum. It's easy to find a train or bus from central Jakarta to these gardens, located 60 km south of Jakarta.

The Cibodas Mountain Garden

This beautiful mountain garden lies at an altitude of about 3937 ft on the slopes of the Gede volcano in western Java. It was established in 1862 for research on mountain flora and fauna and covers about 200 acres. A forest reserve covering over 3,000 acres is attached to this mountain garden. The reserve extends to the summit of Mt. Pangrango (about 9842 ft) and spills into the crater of Mt. Gede to the east of Bogor. The Cibodas collection here boasts imports from several sub-tropical countries.

Orchid Gardens

The orchid gardens at Slipi and in the Taman Mini Park are open to the public. Indonesia has some of the most beautiful and rare species of orchids such as the black-orchid (bualagna pandurata), which thrives in the Kersik Luway reserve of East Kalimantan.

Jakarta Destination Guide