Jakarta's Old Town

 

Pioneering the life of the current Jakarta, Jakarta's Old Town (better known as Kota Tua Jakarta) is now being an important piece of touring around the capital of Indonesia. This historical area that spans around 1.3 square kilometers and partially covers both North Jakarta and West Jakarta, was once dubbed as the Jewel of Asia or Queen of the East by the European seafarers in the 16th Century, due to its strategic location and fertile resources. Flanked by centuries-old buildings with the architectural roots of Chinese, Dutch and a fusion of both, Kota Tua has been officiated as a heritage site ever since 1972. Thus, when it comes to a heritage tourism, a visit to Kota Tua certainly makes the most compelling.

Ultimately, there are hundreds of places in the main area and its vicinity, but the following are the most notable:

The Port of Sunda Kelapa
It's the oldest port in Jakarta where all the settlements began. The port is situated on the estuarine of Ciliwung River and is a witness of a number of significant historical occurrences, including the famous Fatahillah battle that took place in 1527. Today, the port has become a fisherman's wharf and an inter island port that features charming, colourful vessels named Perahu Pinisi, the traditional vessels of the Bugis people of Sulawesi. Visitors are allowed to enter these schooners for a closer look and if they wish to wander around the port, they can rent small rowboats to cruise during the sunset. It is said to be such a distinctive take on enjoying Jakarta in a retro style.

Fatahilah Square
Located on Jalan Pintu Besar Utara 27, this square is guarded by three of Jakarta's major museums. The Wayang Museum (Museum Wayang) is the one that collects numerous displays of the famous Indonesian puppetry called wayang, while The Jakarta Historical Museum (Museum Fatahillah) has survived from 1710 and collects an eclectic historical items, and the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics (Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik) displays beautiful, rare collections of ceramic, terra cotta and various kinds of artistic creations. The square is also often used for photography session and afternoon rendezvous. The classic Cafe Batavia is the most favored place for such activities.

Glodok (Jakarta's Chinatown)
The area caters to both history enthusiasts' and shopaholics' demands. As it's filled by the largest portion of Chinese community in Jakarta, the famous Glodok Market is where visitors can find the most attractive price for electronic goods and an open field for bargaining, while Petak Sembilan is where the Chinese architectures beautify the area with strong spiritual nuance.Stasiun

Jakarta Kota (BEOS Station)
The Bataviasche Ooster Spoorweg Maatschapij (BEOS Station) is one of Jakarta's oldest train station. Its fine architectural design that resembles an excellent mixture between Western Art Deco and Indonesian style makes the station functioning as the most grandeur in the city. Despite the hustle and bustle outside, inside the station is an impressive showcase of how the great age of old Jakarta used to be.
 

Important Notifications:

(1) If you wish to browse around the Fatahillah Square, retro-style bicycles are available for rent.

(2) It is highly advisable to begin the tour in the morning as the heat during midday can be quite of a sting.

(3) Do wear the simplest and most comfortable outfit as well as footwear.

(4) Other sites to visit include Luar Batang Mosque, Toko Merah, Museum Bank INdonesia, Museum Bank Mandiri, Vihara Dharma Bakti and Archive Building.