"Mangunsong's new Jakarta Page" Jakarta by Mangunsong

Jakarta Travel Guide: 1,329 reviews and 2,592 photos

Jakarta

Once saddled with a reputation as a poverty-ridden hell hole, Jakarta mutated into a metropolis with all the outward appearance of an Asian boom town in not much more than a decade. It took only a week of rioting in May 1998 to reduce some of this modern façade to a burnt out shell. Shopping malls, offices, banks and businesses owned by ethnic Chinese and the ruling Soeharto family took the brunt of the rioters' anger. Jakarta remains very much at the centre of political events re-shaping Indonesia, and how quickly the city recovers from the riots and the political and economic turmoil remains to be seen.

That said, Jakarta is the most expensive city in Indonesia, the most polluted and the most congested. But if you can withstand this onslaught and afford to indulge in its charms, then it is also one of the region's most exciting metropolises. Consider Jakarta the 'big durian' - the foul-smelling exotic fruit that some can't stomach and others can't resist.

Population: 9 million
Area: 661 sq km (258 sq mi)
Country: Indonesia
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +7 hours
Telephone Area Code: +62 21

Orientation
Jakarta, on the island of Java in Indonesia, sprawls over 25km (15mi) from the docks to the suburbs of South Jakarta. The city centre fans out from around Merdeka Square, a grand, barren field, which contains the central gold-tipped landmark of the National Monument (Monas). Jakarta doesn't really have a centre: rather there are a number of centres all separated by vast traffic jams, incredible pollution and heat. For most visitors, the area south of the monument holds most interest. Jl Thamrin is the main shopping and deluxe hotel thoroughfare, while just to the east is the main restaurant and cheap hotel area.

Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport is 35km (21mi) west of the city centre, and there are bus stations around the outskirts of town.

When to Go
With maximum temperatures hovering above 30°C (86°F) all year round, Jakarta is warm and often wet city. The dry season is from May to September, and while buckets of torrential rain are still possible, it's more likely that you'll stay pretty dry. Independence Day is on 17 August, and the parades and celebrations are at their grandest in Jakarta.

Events
Independence Day on 17 August is celebrated with great gusto in Jakarta. A flag-raising ceremony is held in Merdeka Place, and carnivals and cultural shows pop up across the city. The Jakarta Fair occurs around 22 June and lasts about three weeks. The Jakarta Fairgrounds come alive to the sounds of industrial exhibits, cultural events and rides. Other celebrations, such as the Jalan Jaksa Street Fair in August and the Jakarta International Cultural Performance in May are colourful, vibrant events that are well worth attending.

JAKARTA City Symbol

The symbol of the city Jakarta is a quintegular shield.

Picture Details :

1. A yellow line in the shield symbolizes gates with the blue background.
2. National Monument symbolizes fertility.
3. The rice and cotton plants symbolize justice.
4. Sea wave symbolizes a city port and archipelagic country.

Intro Updated Sep 9, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (25)

Tea Addict - A new & Unique Restaurant Restaurants (4)

The best restaurant in town Pizza Steak Nasi Goreng ala Tea Addict Rib Eye Steak more travel advice

Thousand Islands or Kepulauan... - Jakarta

Thousand Islands or Kepulauan... Things to Do (12)

Thousand Islands or Kepulauan Seribu Kepulauan Seribu Kepulauan seribu or the thousand islands is a group of small... more travel advice

Old Port Sunda Kelapa Things to Do (12)

Sunda Kelapa, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. It was... more travel advice

Millennium Sirih Jakarta Hotels (6)

US $ 76.00 Millennium Sirih Jakarta is conveniently located in the busy 'Golden Triangle' business, cultural and... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All Becak (or trikshaw)
You should...

Been to Jakarta?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 15, 2002

1 photo

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (63)

Reply
- Report abuse
belgianchocolate Jun 4, 2003 at 10:35 PM

thanks for the information...I'm looking forward to go to the zoo..... frank , belgium
Reply
- Report abuse
visnu Feb 22, 2003 at 1:42 AM

very goods and useful informations. thank you
Reply
- Report abuse
Aang Nov 19, 2002 at 1:04 PM

Lots of useful info.
Reply
- Report abuse
Swadeshika Aug 20, 2002 at 2:21 AM

Very helpful page wth lot of detail..surely will help travell
Reply
- Report abuse
kenHuocj Aug 19, 2002 at 6:48 AM

like a detailed handmade Sarong with many intricacies - back
Reply
- Report abuse
Jillworld Aug 15, 2002 at 8:04 PM

VERY well written, "big durian" ? :)
Reply
- Report abuse
matcrazy1 Aug 15, 2002 at 7:30 PM

One word: FANTASTIC !!!
Reply
- Report abuse
daffodil Aug 14, 2002 at 12:48 PM

Amazing amount of valuble info!
Reply
- Report abuse
rachel_sun Aug 12, 2002 at 10:26 PM

wow,,loads of great info,,thx
Reply
- Report abuse
WILDEFLOWER Aug 10, 2002 at 2:17 AM

Nice job!