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Jakarta Vacations and Tour Packages

Jakarta
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Overview

Take a trip to Jakarta on your Indonesia Vacation

Jakarta is the largest capital city of Indonesia. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Java, Jakarta is the economic, cultural, and political centre of Indonesia, and is one of Asia’s fastest-growing cities.

Under various occupations throughout its history, Jakarta has always been the centre of development. As a Dutch colony, by the end of the 16th century, Jakarta was known as Batavia and became the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Indonesia gained its independence after World War II and subsequently further developed infrastructure, including a cloverleaf highway, a major boulevard, and other various structures such as a shopping centre, parliament building, and the National Monument.

Towering 140 metres above Merdeka Square in central Jakarta, and topped with a pure gold flame, the National Monument symbolizes the fight for Indonesia. Dutch colonial buildings can be seen in Old Jakarta, while the Central Museum features statues dating back from the pre-Hindu period.

A great shopping hub, today Jakarta features numerous shopping malls and traditional markets and features their annual ‘Jakarta Great Sale’, held around June and July in celebration of Jakarta’s anniversary.

With its year-round hot climate, Jakarta attracts visitors to its parks and marine areas, as well as its bustling nightlife. With most of its landmarks being built in the 20th century, this modern metropolis is the most expensive in Indonesia and is also the most congested and polluted.

Appropriately nicknamed ‘The Big Durian’, after the foul-smelling exotic fruit which is either loved or hated, Jakarta is an exciting city which ranks high as an Asian boomtown.

At a Glance

Languages

Indonesian

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

What do the experts say?

Amelia Chee

Amelia Chee

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Steve Hope

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