Introduction : Jakarta

As the contry's capital and the center of government, business and commerce, Jakarta has the unusual modern, world class facilities of a bustling metropolis. Yet, there's another intriguing side of Jakarta that still retains its historical and traditional character that are contrast to its modern facade.


Jakarta's museums are a journey into time. Exhibits of relics from the pre islamic period at the National Museum and sea going vessel from all part archipelago at the Maritime Museum provide an insight into the country's rich cultural heritage. The Wayang Museum holds a collection of wayang puppets from parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia with a weekly performance of the gamelan. The Textile Museum has a collection of over 327 kinds of textile from all over the country : Hand-woven cotton, Silk and Batik cloths, Both of ancient and contempory designs. A workshop on batik making is also available on site. Jakarta's most famous landmark is located in the heart of downtown jakarta. The Museum Nasional or Monas is a  137 M obelisk topped with a flame sculpture coated with 35 Kg of gold. From the top of the monument visitors can get a bird's panoramic eye view of the city.

In the suburbs of the capital, the Indonesian Miniature Park or Taman Mini Offer the chance to go round the arhipelago in a day. This is an extensive park showing Indonesia's ethnic diversity with an orchid garden, a bird park, the Keong Mas Imax Theatre and Museum's. North Jakarta is an area worth visiting for its the older part of the city with many historical building dating back to the 18th century. Facing the bay of Jakarta, the Ancol Jakarta Bay City Dreamland has the Dunia Fantasi theme park complete with rides, sea world, ice world, atlantis water adventure, fishing, boating, an art market, nightclubs, restaurant and star accomodation. Pulau Seribu or the Thousand Islands off Jakarta's northern coast are popular weekend getaway. Putri, Pelangi, Sepa, Kotok, Pantara and Matahari Islands have first class accomodations. Other island such as Kelor and Onrust contain ruinss from the Dutch colonial period while Pramuka island is protected area for hawksbill turtles.

Jakarta's glitteing multi-level shopping centers are filled with designer boutiques and a dizzy display of products that tempt shoppers of all tastes and pockets. Several stores specialize in the handycraft from all over Indonesia, from batiks, wood and even stone carvings, to delicate silverworks and gemstone. Explore the traditional markets found throughout the city. There's a bird market at jalan pramuka, rawa belong flower market and gems market at rawa bening.

You'll never go hungry in the capital. Food vendors, food stalls, cafes and trendy watering holes open nearly 24 hours a day. Jakarta is where the tastes of the archipelago and the world congregate tocreate a veritable gastronomic paradise.

"Business and Leisure make Pleasure

Mixing business with pleasure is second nature of Jakarta. Exploring the city, you can participate in so many acitivities simultaneously, from shopping, entertaiment, recreation to fascinating cultural pastimes. Numerous five star hotels and two modern convention centers have world-class meeting facilities with superb accomodation with tourism, transportation and communication infrastructures constantly being improved give the city its strong appeal as a MICE destination."