What We Can See and Enjoy from the City of Jakarta

Jakarta and its surrounding area offer a contrasting landscape with a variety of sites, attractions and adventures. While Jakarta's skyscrappers reach ever skyward, its history has helped shape the city that was once known as Batavia. Being a port, maritime trade has always been a vital part of the city's trade.

While not as significant as it once was, the bustling port remains functional and most tourists interested in trade and history, gravitate to the port of Sunda Kelapa where traditional sailing vessels called "phinisi" still dock to unload and load goods for trade with the other islands. Located at the mouth of the Ciliwung river, Sunda Kelapa is very much the cradle of Jakarta and today, a popular tourist attraction.

Jakarta's Dutch colonial past is also an important element in city's culture and the city's increasing attraction to Indonesia from all over the archipelago has created a multicultural city that is reflected in the diversity of its people, food , traditions and languages.

Visitors can explore these historical area, admire many fine examples of contemporary architecture and enjoy the wealth of tourist attraction.

History has helped shape the city that was once called Batavia

Jakarta's other great appeal is that its a very affordable city so indulgences in many other parts of the world are very accessible in the city. Visitors can enjoy soothing spa treatments, dine lavishly, play golf in the balmy tropical weather, relax by stunning hotel pools and shop to their heart's content knowing that Jakarta offers many great bargains.

Shopping and eating are important to the city's residents and to almost every visitor. Traditional elemens of the culture are interspersed with more global and contemporary themes so visitors can shop where many locals choose to shop or in some of the most modern shopping malls in the world.

Its no different with food and Jakarta is especially appealing for its value for money and the variety that it offers. Visitors can the dine locally or dishes such as the much loved nasi padang or in very smart international concepts with commanding city views.

Nasi Padang

Delicious chicken satay

Relax by pool at Jakarta