Due to its lengthy history, diversified culture, charming natural beauty, and never-ending development, Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, is a fascinating site to visit. Discover these top-rated things to do in Jakarta, which range from historical sites to high-end restaurants.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Jakarta
Visit the Museum Nasional
One of the top-rated things to do in Jakarta is to visit the Museum Nasional (National Museum). This archeological and ethnological attraction, which is located on the western edge of Merdeka Square, has a large collection of over 70,000 objects. It is regarded as one of the best museums in Southeast Asia.
You don’t even have to go inside the Museum Nasional to enjoy its many treasures. A tranquil fountain topped by a bronze elephant statue, gifted to Batavia by Siam monarch Chulalongkorn in 1871, may be found in the courtyard of the more than 150-year-old building. The main structure is known as the “Elephant Building” because of the distinctive craftsmanship.
The museum is split into two sections, each with its own set of exhibits. The new wing has four levels of exhibitions on Indonesian culture and human origins. A model of the “Flores Man,” the remains of an early human discovered on the island of Flores in 2013, is on display, as is a collection of priceless gold jewelry and artifacts from Central Java; an exhibit of stunning rare textiles from around Indonesia; and a model of the “Flores Man,” the remains of an early human discovered on the island of Flores in 2013.
See Kites at Museum Layang-Layang
Kite flying has been a tradition in this region of the world for over 2,000 years, and there’s no better place in Jakarta to learn about it than Museum Layang-Layang, a peaceful lane in Pondok Labu.
A short film at the museum covers the history of kite flying in Indonesia, as well as the various types of kites – just enough knowledge for visitors to appreciate the attraction’s collection of over 600 brightly colored kites.
A giant flying horse kite with wings that span the length of the entryway may be seen if you look up. The museum also has a 3D kite of a horse-drawn carriage with spinning wheels, as well as a flying sailing ship, traditional bamboo and banana leaf kites, and a wow-worthy 3D kite of a fire-breathing dragon kite.
Relax at Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square, a 75-hectare park in Central Jakarta surrounded by lush flora, is the Indonesian capital’s equivalent to European city plazas. It is one of the largest public squares in the world.
On leisurely weekend days, Jakartans swarm to the wide expanse with their friends and families, making Merdeka Square the place to go for a sample of ordinary life in this bustling metropolis.
The National Monument is the focal point of Merdeka Square. The 132-meter-tall tower, also known as Monas, is topped with a gold foil flame that represents Indonesia’s struggle for freedom. Suharto, Indonesia’s second president, opened the architectural masterpiece in 1975, after a 14-year construction period.
Shop ‘Til You Drop at Jakarta’s Mega Malls
In Jakarta, a giant shopping mall is never more than a stone’s throw away. More than 170 shopping centers may be found throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Many of them have spectacular architecture and numerous levels of shops, theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, salons, galleries, and other attractions, making them perfect places to spend time while avoiding the suffocating rush hour. Many of them have spectacular architecture and numerous floors of shops, theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, salons, galleries, and other attractions, making them great places to visit while avoiding the capital’s suffocating rush hour traffic.
Which malls in Jakarta are the greatest to visit? What you’re looking for determines the response. International luxury goods such as Bulgari, Rolex, Kate Spade, and Ted Baker, as well as locally manufactured batik fabrics, abound in Plaza Indonesia in Central Jakarta. The largest movie theater in Indonesia, as well as a fountain, can be found in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, which is located near the Selamat Datang Monument. The largest movie theater in Indonesia, a fountain display, and a video game arcade can be found in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, which is located near the Selamat Datang Monument.
Take a Day Trip to the Thousand Islands
Do you need a vacation from the concrete jungle of Jakarta? Take a day trip north of the city to the Thousand Islands, a collection of 110 beautiful islands spread in the Java Sea. Every day, ferries and private shuttles transport tourists to popular destinations around the island chain from Marina Ancol.
Pulau Bidadari, one of the Thousand Islands nearest to the ferry dock, is only 30 minutes away. Rare trees, sandy beaches, and a 17th-century fort are among the destination’s highlights. You can also stay in an overwater bungalow for the night.
