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Places to Go
Jakarta being more a destination for business travellers hasn't
really developed that many attractions for the casual tourist within
the city itself. There are a couple, but if you are going to be
in Jakarta for more than a few days or perhaps through a weekend,
it would be well worth your time to get outside the city and see
Indonesia. Day trips (by car) to Puncak, Bogor and/or Bandung will
give you a better idea of the area. Further afield an overnight
stay in either Yogyakarta or Bali will be time well spent.
Monas
Address: Merdeka Square (Freedom
Square)
Description: MONAS (Monument Nasional)
Easily visible from most parts of the city, especially at night,
MONAS is a marble obelisk topped by a gold flame. Standing 132 meters
it is Jakarta's most recognizable monument. Sometimes jokingly referred
to as Sukarno’s last erection, visitors can ride the elevator to
the viewing platform at the top for a panorama view of the city
and suburbs.
The National
Museum
Address: Jl. Merdeka Barat No.12
(across MONAS National Monument)
Description: This is Jakarta’s
- and likely Indonesia’s finest museum.
The current museum was built in 1862 The bronze elephant in front
of the museum was a gift from Siam’s (Thailand’s) famous King Chulalongkorn,
who visited Batavia in 1871. The museum features archeological collections,
gold jewelry and artifacts, stone carvings and ceramics.
Hours: The museum is closed Mondays.
Tuesday - Saturday the museum opens at 8:30 AM
Closing times are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 2:30 PM.
Friday at 11:30 AM, Saturday at 1:30 PM.
The Textile Museum
Address: Jl. K.S. Tubun
Description: A world class collection
of more than 300 rare Indonesian textiles including Batik, Songket
& Ikat.
Taman Mini
Address: Jl. Raya Rd. Gede Kramat
Jati
Description: Located just outside
the city limits to the southeast in an area known as Pondok Gede
is this Indonesian theme park. A leisurely afternoon here is like
a trip through the archipelago. You can walk through reconstructed
traditional houses from Sulawesi to Irian Jaya. There is an overhead
gondola that will transport you from one end to the other. There
is an impressive aviary, many displays of arts and crafts as well
as a wide assortment of traditional foods available.
Hours: 09.00am - 4.00pm. (daily)
Taman Ria
Address: Jl. Pintu VIII Senayan.
Description: This small amusement
/ restaurant / shopping complex is located near the Grand Mulia
hotel in Senayan. Taman Ria opened to the public in 1997. In addition
to a Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round and Mini Rollercoaster there are
many restaurants (TGI Fridays, Bugils, Italiani etc) the Embassy
Disco, and some excellent shopping at Milennia a brand name factory
outlet specializing in men’s, women’s and children’s clothing at
bargain prices.
Hours: Open at 16.00pm - 22.00pm.
(Mon. - Fri.)
Open at 08.00am - 22.00pm. (Sat. - Sun.)
Taman Impian / Dunia
Fantasi
Address: Jl. Lodan Timur Ancol
Jakarta
Description: This large, inexpensive
well managed and maintained recreational park features, many amusement
rides for all ages. General admission to the park is Rp. 50.000,-
for adults and all rides are free once inside. There are also musical
performances, circus style acts, clowns and fantasy characters for
photo ops. Additionally you will find carnival style games and reasonable
fast food.
In the complex there is Mercure Hotel, Golf Course, Bathing Beach,
Water Park and Sea World (everything
from Sharks to Shamu).
Admission: Rp. 50.000,-
Bogor
Home to the Istana Bogor (Indonesia's version of Camp David) &
Kebon Raya (Botanical Gardens) Bogor is a small, delightful town
just an hour outside Jakarta. Other than walking around the Palace
grounds there's not much to do - but if you are new to Indonesia
& don't have much time a quick jaunt to Bogor would be a good
idea.
Bandung
A pleasant 3 hour train trip from Gambir Station in Jakarta winds
through the countryside and brings you to the city that has been
referred to as the 'Paris of the East'. Nestled in the mountains
of Java at some 750 meters above sea level, Bandung's cooler climate
has always been its major draw. The average daytime temperature
is 22C / 70F degrees.
Bandung is without question home to an impressive display of art-deco
architecture. Several of Indonesia's leading universities are located
here making it a lively student haven. It was here also that Indonesia’s
first President, Sukarno, convened the first ever meeting of the
'Non Aligned Nations' in 1957.
Several clothing manufacturers are located in Bandung & 'Jeans
Street' is a bargain hunters dream for clothing and accessories.
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