Joanna James
This vibrant megalopolis is an exotic fusion of different nationalities and cultures, old-world and modern architecture, as well as an abundance of trendy shopping opportunities and artistic enclaves. Here’s a glimpse into the thriving Capital with diverse allurements perfect for the whole family.
If you’re fantasizing about the day trip of a lifetime, it can get any better than island-hopping within the world’s largest archipelago. Picture vivid jewel-blue waters, powdered sugar beaches, and hammocks swinging lazily in the shade of palm fronds. From the picturesque tea plantations and paragliding at Puncak and mangrove-clad beaches dipping to coral reefs at Tidung to the crystalline lagoons and lively water sports that characterize Harpan island, you can take your pick of tranquil and vivacious nature escapes. Bidadari, the closest island to mainland Jakarta is the idyllic haunt for history buffs, the eerie yet striking ruins of the Martello fortress and other colonial artefacts.
If you’re fond of roaming about picturesque footpaths graced with thickets of trees and musical water fountains, you have a romantic1km lozenge smack dab in the middle of the concrete jungle. If you’re lucky you can spot a few deer peaking from the enclosed nature reserve at the southeast corner of the park, and you can join the local kids in a good-natured game of football.
A colourful old-time world inside but somehow untouched by the modernized glitz of the city, this tiny nod to Jakarta’s prosperous past as Asia’s trading hub is a blend of antique buildings, cobbled squares, and gracious museums that infuse the flavours of bygone Chinese, European, and Indonesian architectural styles. From the creatively stimulating Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics to poignant relics found at the Jakarta History Museum, there is plenty to learn, admire, and explore for every age group. The Kota’s serene canal-side streets are ideal for traversing by trishaw or bicycle, and the iconic Café Batavia is ideal for a delicious coffee with a timeless view. For an extraordinary Instagram-worthy hidden gem, ask around for ‘Rumah Akar’ or the ‘Roots House’, where you will find a crumbling yet gracious structure invaded by jungle-like roots and vines.
Part of the Ancol Dreamland recreational complex customized to broaden the imagination of kids, teenagers, and the young at heart, you’ll have an adrenaline-filled range of themed rides, water parks, and marine interactions. From the renowned Halilintar roller coaster at Dufan ‘Fantasy World’ and the mythical waterscape of the ‘Atlantis’ Park with numerous slides, pools, and a multi-cuisine food court to interactive eco-parks and Ocean Dream’s 4D theatres and animal performances, there is plenty of enticements for both the activity and relaxation-inclined. Don’t forget to buy unique and beautiful artisan souvenirs at the Pasar Seni art market, and wind down for dinner with a splendid sunset promenade at Ancol Beach City.
If you’re fond of the ‘shop till you drop’ experience plus some fantastic add-ons from indoor ice-skating rinks and health clubs sporting rejuvenating saunas to edutainment centres exclusively for kids, to say that Jakarta’s malls are multi-purpose is a wild understatement! The Mal Taman Anggrek (MTA) is one of the metropolis’s finest, with over 400 retail stores including upmarket brand outlets like Uniqlo, Charles & Keith, L’occitane, and Crocs. If you’re on the hunt for classy Bendungan Hilir apartments located close to the energetic city hubs, look no further than Somerset Sudirman Jakarta.
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A travel writer who has a pas...
