Explore 6 Iconic Spots in Jakarta

As the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta is known as one of the most populous cities in the world. About tens millions of people from across Indonesia live in this city thus its cultural diversity. This urban area hosts hundreds of lavish shopping centers, and among those buildings you can find these five iconic spots worth to explore while in Jakarta.

1 | Monumen Nasional

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Monumen Nasional or National Monument is locally known as Monas. This landmark stands 137 meters tall in obelisk shape. A huge 14.5 meters ornament reflecting a flame made of bronze and 32 kilograms gold is placed on the top of this tower.

This monument also showcases the red-and-white flag which was used in the first Independence Day ceremony on August 17th, 1945. You can also watch dioramas that display Indonesian history at the museum inside this monument.

The monument is surrounded by a spacious park, where a musical fountain performance is held every weekend. You can also play with the deer living inside the Monas area, but please be gentle and care to them.

Address: Gambir, Central Jakarta
Operating hours: 7am – 12am

2 | Museum Fatahillah

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This building was originally built during the colonial era in 1620, and then the Dutch used it as a city hall or stadhuis in 1710. It was once collapsed due to the land condition, so the government needed to restore it at that time. After that, this building had several prominent functions for the government such as West Java Administration Office in 1925-1942 and Military City Command/Kodim 0503 of West Jakarta Headquarters in 1952-1968.

Later on, then Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin inaugurated this building as a museum on March 30th, 1974. Museum Fatahilah, named after the street where it is located, now keeps as much as 23,500 historical collections. You can find epigraphs left from the Tarumanegara Kingdom, historical cannons, as well as prehistoric tools and paintings.

Address: Jl. Taman Fatahilah No. 1, Kota Tua, Pinangsia, Tamansari, West Jakarta
Operating hours: 8am-5pm, close on Monday

3 | Ancol Theme Park

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This amusement park is situated in the North of Jakarta, on the edge of Jakarta Bay. It is a destination for the most of Jakarta citizens to spend their weekends. Several things that you can enjoy while exploring this park are namely Sea World, Fantasy World (Dunia Fantasi/Dufan), Atlantis Water Adventure and Marina Beach.

You can also find cute handmade products from local artists at Pasar Seni or the Art Market by Fantasi World. Antique goods, potteries, handicrafts and paintings are some of the products you can explore and buy at this market.

Address: Jl. Lodan Timur No. 7, Ancol, Pademangan, North Jakarta
Operating hours: 9am-8pm

4 | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

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The name of this stadium was derived from Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia. This sports area is a multi-purpose stadium which successfully drawn the world attention as it is now one of the venues for Asian Games 2018. However usually on Sunday morning, people usually gather around this area to simply go jogging or exercise.

This stadium accommodates as much as 110,000 audiences, making it as the eighth largest association football stadium in Asia and the seventh largest football stadium in the world. The stadium also equipped with 3,500 lux lighting which makes it ahead of Wembley Stadium in United Kingdom in terms of the lightness.

Address: Jl. Pintu Satu Senayan, Gelora, Tanah Abang, Central Java

5 | The Grand Istiqlal Mosque

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This huge mosque is one of the iconic religious tourism places that you need to visit while in Jakarta. It stands out with a 45-meter diameter dome and tall minarets across old Cathedral Catholic Church at the corner of Jalan Lapangan Banteng. It was designed in 1954 by a Christian architect named Frederich Silaban from North Sumatra. Indonesia’s first President Soekarno officially opened this mosque for the first time on February 22nd, 1978 as the largest mosque in Southeast Asia that can fit in up to 120.000 people.

Istiqlal means “independence” and acts as a reminder of Indonesia’s struggle for national Independence. It took 17 years to build the mosque which personally supervised by President Soekarno during the process. The mosque now remains as a symbol of religious tolerance, a part of Indonesia’s characteristics.

Address: Jl. Taman Wijaya Kusuma, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta

6 | Cathedral Church

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This Roman Catholic Cathedral with neo-gothic style stands right across the Istiqlal Mosque. The proximity is not a coincidence because then-President Soekarno intentionally built the mosque to face this church to symbolize national philosophy, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

The church was consecrated in 1901, rebuilt at the same location where the old cathedral which was built in 1829 but collapsed in 1890. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, therefore it is named as Gereja Santa Maria Pelindung Diangkat ke Surga that translates to Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. It still used regularly for weekly mass, but the congregations will overflow during Easter and Christmas that the management needs to add up some tents to accommodate them.

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