Sights and landmarks in Jakarta

Sights and landmarks in Jakarta

1. SeeCentral

   Arjuna Wijaya

   A statue of Arjuna and Krishna riding horse chariot, the scene taken from Mahabharata epic. Created by Nyoman Nuarta.

2. SeeWest

   Bank Indonesia Museum

   Perhaps the best museum in the area as it displays the legacy of Indonesia (and a general overview of the world)'s monetary and economy history, with music and technology that works through your senses. Please differentiate with Bank Mandiri Museum, which only 30 meters from Fatahillah Museum, but inferior to Bank Indonesia Museum.

   Tue-Sun 08:00-15:30·Free for students who show their student IDs, groups who have registered and got confirmation from the BI Museum, and children up to 3 years old; for others Rp5,000

3. SeeSouth

   Basoeki Abdullah

   The late Basoeki Abdullah was a famous painter in Indonesia and Dutch. Collection: hundreds of beautiful paintings, sculpture, masks, watches.

   Tue-Fri 08:00-16:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-15:00, Mon and public holidays closed·Adults Rp2,000 (individual), Rp1,000 (group), Children Rp1,000 (individual), Rp500 (group), foreigner Rp10,000

4. SeeSouth

   Dia.lo.gue Artspace

   Contemporary art centre and exhibition with coffee shop inside. The name can be interpreted as "she/him, you, and me", or conversation in Bahasa Indonesia.

   9:30-18:00 weekdays, 9:00-21:00 weekend

5. SeeWest

   Diamond City Drawbridge

   Jembatan Kota Intan

   A Dutch style drawbridge that crosses a canal, situated near what was once the Diamond Fort.

6. SeeSouth

   Djoko Sutono

   This statue commemorated Professor DR. Djoko Sutono, SH, the founder of Indonesian Police Academy.

7. SeeSouth

   Erasmus Huis

   A Dutch cultural hub. Next to the Dutch embassy. Movie, drama, music show, library etc.

   Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00

8. SeeCentral

   Farmer Statue

   Pak Tani dan Bu Tani

   Created by Matvei Manizer and Otto Manizer (from Russia). This statue commemorated the struggle for Independence by Indonesian farmers and their family.

9. SeeCentral

   Freedom of Irian Jaya

   Pembebasan Irian Jaya

   This statue, right at the centre of the court, celebrates the annexation of Irian Jaya (West Papua) into Indonesia from the Netherlands in 1963. Has dancing musical fountain, futsal area, children playground, jogging track, and can be used at night because of good illumination.

10. SeeNorth

    Galangan VOC

    VOC Shipyard

    Dating back to 1628, this is the former trade office and ship repair of the VOC (East Indies Trade Company) built by the Dutch. It is the center of the trade routes that stretched from Japan to Cape Town, from the Spice Islands to Persia. The place is now a restaurant, also called the VOC (Very Old Café), but maintains what's left of history.

11. SeeCentral

    General Soedirman

    The statue stands on the avenue named for his namesake. Sudirman (old spelling: Soedirman) was the leader of the Indonesian forces in the guerrilla war against the Dutch in Yogyakarta (1948-1949).

12. SeeSouth

    Gudang Sarinah Ekosistem

    Art and creative space founded in 2015. Usually used for various events such as music festival, concert, and education. It was once a warehouse (gudang) owned by the Sarinah mall in Central Jakarta.

13. SeeEast

    Heroes

    Perjuangan Rakyat Jatinegara

    This statue commemorates the heroic struggle for Indonesian independence by Jatinegara residents in 1945.

14. SeeCentral

    Istiqlal Mosque

    Masjid Istiqlal

    Not far from Gambir Station and Monas is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Designed by a Christian architect, the mosque was deliberately erected in front of an older cathedral by former president Soekarno to show religious harmony and diversity. The mosque is grand and gorgeous both inside and out, virtually every element was designed meticulously to reflect philosophical meanings of the Muslim world. Be sure to wear proper attire if you are going here for the day, or a sarong can be lent if you are wearing shorts. Get a guide to explore if you are on your own, but expect to pay a tip (arrange the amount before the tour) both to the guide and to the mosque.

    24 hours daily. For non-Muslims, preferably not during prayer time (12:00, 15:30, 18:00)

15. SeeCentral

    Jakarta Cathedral

    The century-old neo-gothic church is the seat of the Jakarta Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. After you admire the design inside and out, go to the 2nd floor for a museum.

16. SeeWest

    Jakarta History Museum

    Museum Fatahillah

    The building was a city hall (Stadhuis) until 1710, and then an underground prison, and used as the provincial office before restored into its use today as Jakarta's History Museum in 1974. Start from the right entrance, the first room you'll encounter is the transportation mode Jakarta used, including carts. Next, the chronology begins with writing on the stones that tell the growth of the area from as early as the 5th century, then the Portuguese and the Dutch. The backyard has the famous Jagur cannon. Other highlights include the fusion of cultures from both in and out of Indonesia and the assimilation that shapes the local Betawi culture. The basement used to be a dark prison of torture.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-15:00·Adult Rp 15000, student Rp 3000, children Rp 2000

17. SeeNorth

    Jakarta Port Authority's Lookout Tower

    Established in 1834, it functioned as the watchtower for ships docking and departing Sunda Kelapa Harbor. No longer used, the building is in dilapidated condition.

18. SeeSouth

    Kalibata Heroes Cemetery

    Taman Makam Pahlawan (TMP) Kalibata

    Opened in 1954, more than 7,000 people who are military casualties and veterans from Indonesian War of Independence, as well as B.J. Habibie, the third president of Indonesia, are buried here.

    Free

19. SeeNorth

    Kalijodo Park

    Taman Kalijodo

    Formerly a red-light district, it is the newest park in the city, with 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres) of land area besides the Krendang River. The park has international-standard skateboard facilities, a playground, an indoor football court, and an amphitheater.

20. SeeSouth

    Kites Museum of Indonesia

    Museum Layang-Layang Indonesia

    Established in 2003, this museum's collection include about 600 kites, with varying sizes from 2 centimeters to 9 x 26 meters.

21. SeeEast

    Lubang Buaya

    Marks the site where an alleged failed coup d'état by the Partai Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Communist Party) met its end in 1965, alongside the bodies of several high-ranking generals who are believed to have been tortured to death.

22. SeeNorth

    Muara Angke Nature Reserve

    Cagar Alam Angke Kapuk

    This is the last nature reserve in Jakarta with mangrove plantations and wildlife still preserved. Look for the endemic birds, plants, monitor lizards and monkeys. Obtain a permit to enter at the Conservation of Natural Resources Office at Salemba, Central Jakarta. The reserve is very quiet, located about 500 meters from Pantai Indah Kapuk, Muara Karang Gate. Although there is no official parking area, you can park on the shoulder of the road in front of the park gate. No permit is required, because there aren't any guards.

23. SeeNorth

    Museum Bahari

    Maritime Museum

    A legacy of Indonesia's maritime past. Artifacts of boats from the Pinisi to the Navy, underwater life and the heroes of the Indonesian seas. Magnificent old building and very modest entry fee.

    Rp15.000

24. SeeCentral

    Museum Sumpah Pemuda

    In 1928, a group of youth at the 2nd Youth Congress declared one motherland, one nation, one language. The museum has complete information on how the dispersed youth tied to their home region gathered in unity for an idea of a country that was yet to be officially formed, and when the creator of the Indonesian national anthem, W.R. Supratman, performed this piece on violin for the first time ever.

    Tue-Fri 08:00-16:00; Sat Sun 08:00-17:00·Indonesian Rp2,000; foreigner Rp10,000

25. SeeWest

    Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramic

    A fine art gallery featuring some of Indonesia's maestros of art. Not just paintings, but ceramic sculptures, and structures that represent the Hindu mythology commonly found in temples (candi).

    Closed · opens 8 am·From Rp 5,000 per adult

26. SeeCentral

    National Museum

    Museum Nasional

    Step back in time from humble prehistory to the Hindu Kingdoms, from the Dutch to the Independence. It has a fine collection of Hindu sculptures and cultural artifacts from around the country, as well as an impressive treasure room filled with gold items. Look out for the elephant statue at front, a gift from the King of Siam (Thailand) in 1871. The Gold room is closed 1 hour before the museum normal closing time.

    Daily 08:00-16:00·Foreigner Rp 150,000; Indonesian Adult Rp 50,000 child Rp 25,000,

27. SeeCentral

    Presidential Palace

    Istana Merdeka

    Along with the Negara Palace and others minor buildings, it forms the Presidential Palace complex. Built in 1796 as a mansion for a Dutch businessman, it became the centre of the Dutch administration during the 19th century, and the official residence of every single president. As of 2014, the Palace doesn’t seem to be open for public.

    Sat Sun 09:00-16:00

28. SeeCentral

    Prince Diponegoro

    This statue commemorates the rebellion against Dutch occupation (1825-1830), led by Prince Diponegoro from the Kingdom of Mataram, Yogyakarta.

29. SeeCentral

    Proclamation Museum

    Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi

    This is where the Declaration of Independence is read on August 17, 1945, by the founding fathers Soekarno and Hatta. Complete storyline of how the Independence came to be, through dioramas, mock-ups, and propaganda posters.

    Tue-Fri 08:00-16:00 (Fri closes 11:00-13:00), Sat Sun 08:30-17:00·Indonesian Rp2,000; foreigner Rp10,000

30. SeeWest

    Puppet Museum

    Museum Wayang

    This museum is dedicated to the Wayang, a Javanese puppet used in traditional shows to explain religious and philosophical ideas (so it's discouraged to call it a mere toy). There are different types of wayang from the shadow puppets to marionettes, from Java and around the world. Grab a tour guide (staff) to explain everything in English (the description on the display is not very helpful). The shadow puppet show is regularly held at 11:00 on Sunday.

    Tue-Sun 08:30-15:00·From Rp5,000 per adult

31. SeeSouth

    Ragunan Zoo

    Indonesia's first and now most famous zoo, established more than 150 years ago. 295 species roaming the area, many are endemic to Indonesia only. There is a special area for primates (monkeys, apes, and its derivatives) called Schmutzer, a still active conservation and research centre. Out from there, the animals are ready to greet you in open air. Payment have to use JakCard from Jakarta Government Bank and it makes difficulty for many people who have no JakCard. JakCard can be used only for limited transaction such as TransJakarta, but TransJakarta can use other cards. The children can also play with tame animals in another dedicated area and watch many animal performances, only on weekend, Sunday and holiday. Rent a bike to tour the zoo quicker (near North Entrance 2 or Pintu Utara 2) or get around with horse cart on weekend, Sunday and holiday only and set a mat under a tree for a picnic.

    06:30-19:00 (Closed on Mon, for animals' holiday.)·Ticket fee for Schmutzer is Rp 6,000 weekdays and Rp7,500 on weekend, Sunday and holiday. Parking fee Rp 6,500/car, entrance fee is Rp4,500 adults and Rp3,500 children

32. SeeCentral

    Sasmita Loka

    The former house of Gen. Ahmad Yani, who was kidnapped and murdered in the communist attempt to stage a coup in 1965. The house has become a museum.

33. SeeSouth

    Satria Mandala

    formerly Wisma Yaso

    Military Museum. Wisma Yaso is the former residence of Indonesian first president, Soekarno.

34. SeeSouth

    Space Man

    Patung Dirgantara/Pancoran

    On Pancoran intersection. This statue commemorated the achievement of Indonesian Air Force in defending Indonesian territory. Created by Edhi Sunarso and Keluarga Arca from Jogjakarta. It's difficult to see this statue because the statue is partially covered by Tebet flyover/toll road bridges.

35. SeeNorth

    Sunda Kelapa Port

    This is where Jakarta began as Fatahillah defeats the Portuguese in a battle to conquer his kingdom in 1527. The old port area of Sunda Kelapa remains a bustling hub for inter-island trade. Graceful Bugis phinisi schooners, the world's last wind-powered sailing fleet used for trade, are still berthed at the quay as they have been for century.

36. SeeNorth

    Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk

    Similar to Muara Angke but does not require a permit. Larger, even has a place to stay and playing boats. No DSLR cameras allowed. It is an artificial park, not a nature preserve, and patrons can plant mangrove trees there, if they obtain a ticket.

    Daily 08:00-19:00·Rp25,000

37. SeeWest

    Textile Museum

    A museum where textile motifs and textures from all across Indonesia. The batik even has its own dedicated gallery that awes you by the different motives and its use. You can even make your own batik for Rp40,000! There are also tenun machines at the back that you can use and a library of colors used for dying the cloth, including its origin.

38. SeeWest

    The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara

    Museum MACAN

    The museum, which is the first in Indonesia to have a collection of modern and contemporary Indonesian and international art, opened in 2017. It displays around 90 works from a collection totalling 800 modern Indonesian and contemporary artworks from around the world including 'Infinity Mirrored Room' by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The museum is not frightened to exhibit artists who take a polemic approach and its permanent collection does an excellent job of demonstrating that the development of indigenous art since the start of the 20th century has recorded, commented on and affected political events. All in all better than merely interesting it is an exciting place to visit.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:00·Adult Rp100,000, student Rp90,000, senior (≥ 65 years old) Rp90,000, children (3 - 12 years old) Rp80,000, children (< 3 years old) free

39. SeeCentral

    The National Monument

    Monumen Nasional, often abbreviated Monas

    A towering 137m-tall obelisk of solid bronze platted with 50 kilos of gold shaped into flames up top, this is the most famous landmark in Jakarta. The monument was commissioned by Sukarno in 1961 to celebrate Indonesia's independence, it was completed in 1975 after his death and is consequently known irreverently as Sukarno's Last Erection. The 1 square kilometre Medan Merdeka (Freedom Square) plaza/park around it was created by bulldozing a squatter community. In its basement, look for the collection of dioramas depicting the struggle for Indonesian independence from a firmly revolutionary point of view, while the top has an observation deck. The musical fountain at the east side of the park dances on weekends at 19:00.

    08:00-16:00, except the last Mon of the month·Museum and the first platform Rp 5,000 for adult, Rp 3,000 for student and Rp 2,000 for child; observation desk Rp 10,000 for adult, Rp 5,000 for student and Rp 2,000 for child. Only 1,800 tickets are available per day for the observation desk before noon. Since April 5, 2016, the observation desk is also open from 19:00 to 22:00, with 700 tickets available at Rp 15,000/ticket and ticket sales available only until 9pm, but night observation is closed in Ramadan (fasting) month

40. SeeCentral

    Welcome to Jakarta statue

    Selamat Datang

    This statue was an idea by Soekarno, designed by the vice governor of Jakarta Henk Ngantung. The statue waves to the north as athletes from the Asia Pacific region came to play the 1962 Asian Games.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Jakarta (CC BY-SA 4.0).