2022 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Background

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Lying on the northwest coast of Java, the world's most populous island, Jakarta is the largest city in Southeast Asia. The city is the economic, cultural, and political centre of Indonesia.

The business and employment opportunities, along with its ability to offer a potentially higher standard of living compared to other parts of the country, have attracted migrants from across the Indonesian archipelago, making it a melting pot of numerous cultures. The primary challenges include rapid urban growth, ecological breakdown, gridlocked traffic, congestion, and flooding. This city is sinking up to 17cm annually, which coupled with the rising of sea levels, has made the city more prone to flooding. hence, it is one of the fastest-sinking capitals in the world.

Highlights 

The five highlights picked for this vacation are, National Monument, Fatahillah square, Glodok Chinatown, Jalan Sabang market, Central Park, and SCBD.

National Monument

The National Monument is a 132 m obelisk in the centre of Merdeka Square, central Jakarta, symbolising the fight for Indonesia. It is the national monument of the Republic of Indonesia, built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence. The construction began in 1961 under the direction of president Sukarno. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil.

Figure 1 - The National Monument

Fatahillah Square

The Fatahillah square is the historical centre of the old Batavia. The square is located at the centre of the Jakarta old town. The square is a tourist area home to the following,

• Jakarta history museum

• Wayang museum

• Fine art and ceramics museum
  

During Dutch colonial times in the 16th century, this was the heart of the walled city. This area fills up with artisans, jugglers, and tourists on the weekends.

Cafe Batavia is a restaurant located in the old town. It is one of the colonial landmarks in the square. The building where Cafe Batavia was established in the 1837, and is the second oldest building in the square, second only to Jakarta history museum. 

Figure 2 - The Jakarta history museum

Figure 3 - The fine art and ceramics museum

Figure 4 - The Cafe Batavia

Glodok Chinatown

The Chinatown of Jakarta began long before Indonesia existed as a nation and was originally the Chinatown of Batavia. This was the area where the Dutch required the Chinese to live. Today, the whole area is called Glodok and includes traditional houses, markets, architecture and some very beautiful Chinese temples; the Da Shi Miao and the Vihara Dharma Bhakti temples are both popular tourist attractions. The Glodok market is one of the great commercial centres of Jakarta where everything from antiques to laptops can be bought.

Glodak is the old Chinatown section of Jakarta, and the new Chinatown has opened in Pantjoran Pik, Jakarta in 2020.

Figure 5 -  The gate of Chinatown in Glodok

Figure 6 - Petak Enam, a vast hall full of food vendors selling regional specialties

Figure 7 - A traditional chinese shop in the Glodok Chinatown

Jalan Sabang market

Jakarta has a famous area that foodies regard as a culinary heaven. this is located near the busy Thamrin road in the JL. Sabang /JL. H. Agus Salim. This street hosts the best street food Jakarta scene in town.

As the sun goes down, street food vendors begin to roll in their stalls and open their tents. They fill up the side of the pavement, slowing down the evening traffic. Pedestrians, hungry after work, would stop their vehicles and begin queuing to order. The variety of food in the Sabang area is astonishing, and includes, Betawi food, Javanese food, and Sumatra’s Minang delicacies.

Figure 8 - A satay vendor in the Jalan Sabang market

Figure 9 - A martabak vendor in the Jalan Sabang market

Figure 10 - A fish vendor, that sells and cooks fresh seafood in the Jalan Sabang market

Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD)

The Sudirman Central Business District or SCBD is a business district with an integrated mixed-use development concept, located in south Jakarta, consisting of condominiums, office buildings, hotels, shopping, and entertainment centres. The total area of SCBD is about 45 hectares, which is again divided into 25 lots.

The SCBD is located within the golden triangle of Jakarta. There are seven entry and exit points from SCBD to different avenues of Jakarta. Most of the office buildings in the district are connected by underground pedestrian links.

Figure 11 -  A distant view on the SCBD