Jakarta

Indonesia's capital and Southeast Asia's largest city, with Dutch colonial architecture in the Old Town (Kota Tua), the National Monument and the Thousand Islands, and the main gateway to the Indonesian archipelago.

Jakarta sits on the northwest coast of Java. It is the capital of Indonesia (from 2024 the national administrative capital is being gradually relocated to Nusantara in Kalimantan, but Jakarta remains the economic and transport hub) and the largest city in Southeast Asia, with a metropolitan population of over 30 million. The city is long and narrow from north to south, and sights fall into three areas: the Old Town (Kota Tua) on the northern waterfront, the former Dutch East India Company city of Batavia, with Fatahillah Square, the old Sunda Kelapa harbor and Glodok Chinatown, plus the Ancol seaside leisure area; the Merdeka Square area in the center (the National Monument, the National Museum, and the Istiqlal Mosque next to the Jakarta Cathedral); and the commercial district in the south (the towers and malls along Sudirman–Thamrin, and the dining and nightlife of Kemang and SCBD). Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is 20 km east of downtown, and the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) lie within 50 km offshore to the north. Temperatures run 24–33°C year-round. May–Sep is the relatively comfortable dry season; Dec–Feb is the rainy season, with frequent downpours, flooding and even heavier traffic.

Getting there and around: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is 25 km from the city center. The Railink airport train takes about 50 minutes to BNI City Station, while a taxi on the toll road takes 45–90 minutes (Bluebird taxis are the most reliable). In the city you can use the MRT (North–South Line, Bundaran HI to Lebak Bulus), the LRT, Transjakarta bus rapid transit (dedicated lanes, fare Rp 3,500) and Grab/Gojek ride-hailing (GoRide motorbike taxis are fastest in traffic jams). Jakarta's traffic is notorious worldwide, so plan on "one area per day" and avoid crossing districts at rush hour. We suggest 1–2 days, which makes it an ideal stopover on the way to Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok and beyond. Chinese citizens can get a visa on arrival (about Rp 500,000, valid 30 days) or an e-visa.

Good to know: drink bottled water; mosques are closed to visitors during Friday midday prayers; watch your phone and bags on the street and use a ride-hailing app for taxis at night; during Ramadan many places serve less food during the day, so please be respectful of local customs.

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