West Jakarta (Indonesian: Jakarta Barat) is part of the Old Batavia and is home to Jakarta's Chinatown, called the Glodok area. Glodok is more of electronic promenade of Jakarta, but is rich in street hawker food and Chinese restaurants, as well as old Chinese temple complexes. The area is also a shopping destination, as it is home to Mall Taman Anggrek and cheap shopping lanes at Mangga Dua. This area is also home to Jakarta's biggest nightlife entertainment and red light district, Mangga Besar.
Understand
[edit]West Jakarta is one of the five administrative cities of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia. It's famous for its Dutch colonial relics such as the Town Hall Building (now Jakarta History Museum in Jakarta Old Town or locals called Kota Tua). West Jakarta has also become the center area of the Chinese-Indonesian people in Jakarta and It's also where Chinatown is located.
Jalan Daan Mogot is one of the longest main roads in West Jakarta which stretches from the east to the west (border with Tangerang).
Get in
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By train
[edit]There are 12 railway stations in West Jakarta. Most of them are served by one or more lines of Jakarta's commuter rail network (KA Commuter Jabodetabek). The main station is 1 Jakarta Kota station in the old town, serving the red line to Depok and Bogor, the blue line to Bekasi, and the pink line to Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta. 2 Duri station serves the brown line to Tangerang, the yellow line to Depok and Bogor/Nambo, as well as intercity trains to Merak.
By bus
[edit]Multiple Transjakarta bus rapid transit lines traverse this area. Line goes from the heart of Jakarta to the old town. Line
goes from Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta to the Kalideres bus terminal. Line
follows the Inner Ring Road from both North and South Jakarta.
The main bus terminal in West Jakarta is 3 Kalideres bus terminal and the smaller one is 4 Grogol bus terminal. In addition to many city buses and minibuses, the terminal serves buses to destinations throughout Java island, as well as to Lampung and South Sumatra.
Get around
[edit]By public transport
[edit]Multiple Transjakarta bus rapid transit lines traverse the area, especially around the Old City, Harmoni and Grogol. In addition, there is a wide range of city buses and minibuses. Mikrotrans also serves main roads with multiple fixed stops and free of charge.
By online transport
[edit]Online motorbike taxis (ojek) are usually spawned around Old City, ready to pick up commuters from Jakarta Kota station and tourist from Jakarta History Museum.
See
[edit]![](http://178.128.105.246/content-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Jakarta_Indonesia_Jakarta-History-Museum-02.jpg/220px-Jakarta_Indonesia_Jakarta-History-Museum-02.jpg)
Old City
[edit]The Old City is administratively divided between North Jakarta and West Jakarta. Many of the important sites are here in West Jakarta, including the central attraction, the Fatahillah square with the Jakarta History Museum next to it. Most leisure visitors to Jakarta start their sightseeing here.
- 1 Bank Indonesia Museum, Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.4, ☏ +62 21 2600158, museum@bi.go.id. Tu-Su 08:00-15:30. Perhaps the best museum in the area as it displays the legacy of Indonesia (and a general overview of the world)'s monetary and economy history, with music and technology that works through your senses. Please differentiate with Bank Mandiri Museum, which only 30 meters from Fatahillah Museum, but inferior to Bank Indonesia Museum. Free for students who show their student IDs, groups who have registered and got confirmation from the BI Museum, and children up to 3 years old; for others Rp5,000.
- 2 Diamond City Drawbridge (Jembatan Kota Intan), Jl Nelayan Barat / Jl. Kali Besar Barat.. A Dutch style drawbridge that crosses a canal, situated near what was once the Diamond Fort.
- 3 Jakarta History Museum (Museum Fatahillah), Jl. Taman Fatahillah No. 1, ☏ +62 21 692 9101. Tu-Su 09:00-15:00. The building was a city hall (Stadhuis) until 1710, and then an underground prison, and used as the provincial office before restored into its use today as Jakarta's History Museum in 1974. Start from the right entrance, the first room you'll encounter is the transportation mode Jakarta used, including carts. Next, the chronology begins with writing on the stones that tell the growth of the area from as early as the 5th century, then the Portuguese and the Dutch. The backyard has the famous Jagur cannon. Other highlights include the fusion of cultures from both in and out of Indonesia and the assimilation that shapes the local Betawi culture. The basement used to be a dark prison of torture. Adult Rp 5000, student Rp 3000, children Rp 2000.
- 4 Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramic, Jl. Pos Kota No. 2, ☏ +62 21 6926090. 08:00-15:00. A fine art gallery featuring some of Indonesia's maestros of art. Not just paintings, but ceramic sculptures, and structures that represent the Hindu mythology commonly found in temples (candi). From Rp 5,000 per adult.
- 5 Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang), Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No. 27 (west of Taman Fatahillah), ☏ +62 21 692 9560. Tu-Su 08:30-15:00. This museum is dedicated to the Wayang, a Javanese puppet used in traditional shows to explain religious and philosophical ideas (so it's discouraged to call it a mere toy). There are different types of wayang from the shadow puppets to marionettes, from Java and around the world. Grab a tour guide (staff) to explain everything in English (the description on the display is not very helpful). The shadow puppet show is regularly held at 11:00 on Sunday. From Rp5,000 per adult.
Other areas
[edit]- 6 Textile Museum, Jl. KS. Tubun No. 4,, ☏ +62 21 560 6613. A museum where textile motifs and textures from all across Indonesia. The batik even has its own dedicated gallery that awes you by the different motives and its use. You can even make your own batik for Rp40,000! There are also tenun machines at the back that you can use and a library of colors used for dying the cloth, including its origin.
- 7 The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (Museum MACAN), AKR Tower Level M, Jalan Panjang No. 5, Kebon Jeruk (near Kebon Jeruk stop Transjakarta bus corridor 8), ☏ +62 21 2212 1888, info@museummacan.org. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:00. The museum, which is the first in Indonesia to have a collection of modern and contemporary Indonesian and international art, opened in 2017. It displays around 90 works from a collection totalling 800 modern Indonesian and contemporary artworks from around the world including 'Infinity Mirrored Room' by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The museum is not frightened to exhibit artists who take a polemic approach and its permanent collection does an excellent job of demonstrating that the development of indigenous art since the start of the 20th century has recorded, commented on and affected political events. All in all better than merely interesting it is an exciting place to visit. Adult Rp100,000, student Rp90,000, senior (≥ 65 years old) Rp90,000, children (3 - 12 years old) Rp80,000, children (< 3 years old) free.
Do
[edit]![](http://178.128.105.246/content-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Ice_skating_Mall_Taman_Anggrek.jpg/220px-Ice_skating_Mall_Taman_Anggrek.jpg)
- 1 Skyrink, Jl. Letjen S. Parman No.Kav 21, RT.12/RW.1, Tanjung Duren Selatan,. Grogol petamburan (Mal Taman Anggrek, 3rd floor), ☏ +62 21 564 2888, fax: +62 21 564-3888. Daily 09:00-21:30. The largest skating rink in Southeast Asia, an oasis worth joining for a cool off in the hot Jakarta, or a reminiscence of the cold winter. It is best to get here on a weekday, as it's dramatically less crowded and you are entitled to an all-day play! Weekdays Rp60,000 all day; weekends Rp70,000 for 2 hours, overtime Rp9,000 per hour.
- 2 Suncity Luxury Club, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No.127, RT.1/RW.6, Mangga Besar, Taman Sari (Lindeteves Trade Center, 5th floor), ☏ +62 21 6220 1900. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. A one-stop place for karaoke, a spa, eating (especially Chinese cuisine), drinking (including wine and other alcoholic beverages), and sleeping (in their hotel). Also has a ballroom for various events.
Buy
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A unique scene exists in West Jakarta compared to its counterparts. While malls are typical, the West features most of Jakarta's shopping strip, from street vendors to a long strip of multiple malls joined by skybridges.
Shopping malls
[edit]Grogol area
[edit]- 1 Central Park (locally abrreviated CP), Jalan Letnan Jenderal S Parman Kav. 28 (Podomoro City). An increasingly well known shopping mall that has branded fashions (not the upscale like Hermes or Louis Vuitton though), Sogo department store and a huge Gramedia bookstore. Huge garden area with fish ponds, gardens and big stage for a night out. Do not miss the Tribeca portion separated by the park for better dining options. Unique eating options especially East Asian, including 1 special food court for a Japanese taste. Right next to Mal Taman Anggrek.
- 2 Mal Ciputra Jakarta (Citraland or abbreviated CL), Jl. Arteri S. Parman, Grogol,, ☏ +62 21 566 2121. More distinguishable by the tall Ciputra Hotel rather than by the mall itself. Middle class mall filled with students from nearby Trisakti and Tarumanegara Universities, cheap to reasonably priced clothing and cheap places to eat and drink.
- 3 Mal Taman Anggrek (locally abbreviated TA), Jalan Letnan Jenderal S. Parman Kav. 21. One of the most well known places to shop in Jakarta. 5 cavernous floors comprising of mostly middle class options. Highlights include the biggest ice skating rink in Southeast Asia, a Hero supermarket, Uniqlo fashion store and Metro department store. Electronic, furniture, and home appliance stores are common here. This mall is distinguishable by the 7 apartment towers on it, and its long wall of LED lights that makes a beautiful sight as you are coming.
South Kembangan area
[edit]- 4 Lippo Mall St Moritz, Jalan Puri Indah Boulevard Blok U1. A medium-sized mall split into two wings filled with mid-range brands as well as a good selection of Japanese and Korean food. Worth noting is the outdoor seating area for the cafes, where you can enjoy various beverages with either live music or sports.
- 5 Puri Indah Mall, Jl. Puri Agung, Puri Indah Kembangan Selatan,, ☏ +62 21 582 2585. A classical style mall like the Plaza Senayan, without the premium fashion brands. One of the best places to eat with plenty of restaurants.
Other areas
[edit]- 6 Seasons City, Jl. Prof. Dr. Latumenten No. 33. A budget shopping center.
- 7 Mall Taman Palem, Jl. Kamal Raya No.13, RT.13/RW.10, Cengkareng Timur. An old mall with plenty of food tenants. Usually not so crowded, even at the weekend. There is a functional hall at the 5th floor.
Shopping areas
[edit]- 8 Glodok. Jakarta's Chinatown. While you may not see upscale Chinese restaurants, the locals do shop here for gadgets, from game consoles to Hi-Fi stereos. Beware that many of them have been scrutinized and can be a counterfeit hardware. Other items to look for include home appliances and hardware materials. The most trusted can generally be found at the 9 Lindeteves Trade Center (LTC).It is fun to explore the narrow streets of the Petak Sembilan Market which lies to the south east of Jalan Pancoran
Eat
[edit]Budget
[edit]The center of budget eating is mainly within the Mangga Besar area, catering to mostly Chinese tongues. It is, after all, the heart of Chinatown. Jalan Pintu Besar Selatan III runs north off JL Pancoran, it is almost universally referred to as Gang Gloria and famous for its food vendors
Noodles
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- 1 Bakmi Ayam Acang, Jl. Dr. Susilo III No.14, Grogol (500 m walking to the northeast of Grogol Bus Terminal), ☏ +6221 5602343. 06:00-14:00. A type of Jakarta Ayam Kampung-Mie Ayam (chicken noodle that uses village chicken). A halal dish. Start from Rp48,000.
- 2 Bakmi GM, Jl. Gajah Mada Raya No. 92. The flagship store (or the first) of the Bakmi GM chain branch. You pay once you order and your dish comes out darn quick (in less than 10 minutes). Include the Bakmi Special GM and the Pangsit Goreng with the sweet and spicy sauce. From Rp15,000.
- 3 Mie Juhi Babeh Ade, Indomaret Kamboja, Jl. Kamboja No.29, ☏ +62 813 8050 4749. 10:30-19:00. Serves Mie juhi, a Betawi cuisine noodle dish. Noodles with dried squid and vegetables in peanut sauce. Start from Rp20,000.
- 4 Mie Kangkung Si Jangkung, Jl. Pintu Besar Selatan 2 No.6, Glodok. 10:00-20:00. Sell Mie kangkung literally means water spinach noodles. A Chinese-Betawi cuisine. Start from Rp30,000.
Others
[edit]- 5 Bakso Akiaw 99, Jl. Mangga Besar Raya 2B, ☏ +6221 6291419. 13:00-21:30. The place is steaming (literally, no AC) as you get here, but pays off with the succulent bakso (meatballs), complemented with a choice of noodles or rice noodles (thick or thin). From Rp20,000.
- 6 Joni Steak, Jl. Gajah Mada Raya No. 91, Gajah Mada, ☏ +62 21 6385 0142. Mains from Rp30,000. Specializing in steak, quality on par with the cheap price.
- 7 Kamseng Resto, Jl. Mangga Besar I No. 26, ☏ +62 21 649 2319. 24 hours. An especially good option for a dine supper through breakfast, famous for its clay pot porridge, with any options you can add on such as fish or pork, egg (try the premium pitan: fermented chicken or duck egg), and the very enticing cahkwe (shrimp breadstick/youtiao). From Rp40,000.
- 8 Kwetiau Sapi 78 Mangga Besar, Jl. Mangga Besar Raya No. 78 D, ☏ +62 21 629 5340. For its namesake, order the Kwetiau Sapi (beef thick rice noodle), preferably with the gravy (Kwetiau Siram Sapi), or if you don't want it messy or wet in your mouth, the fried one (Kwetiau Goreng Sapi) can be a good option. From Rp25,000.
- 9 Suisse Bakery, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 114 Blok A No. 5 - 6. A bakery that opened in the 1960s, serving delicious bread, both topped and filled.
Mid-range
[edit]You can find most of these options in malls, although on-the-street establishments are also abound.
- 10 Gandy Steakhouse, JL Hayam Wuruk, No. 73, ☏ +62 21 6391109. Daily 10:00-22:00. A longtime favorite steakhouse with retro European wallpaper, waiters in bow ties, and complimentary bread from their bakery downstairs. Live music every night playing oldies and perhaps a couple of songs from the current century. Steaks from Rp150,000; other meals from Rp70,000.
- 11 Nanny's Pavilion, Central Park, Ground Floor, Sogo Central Park,, ☏ +62 21 56985750. A classy style restaurant where the waiters/waitresses dress up like your nanny. Specializes in western food such as steak and pasta. But the recommendations are the waffles or crepes with ice cream.
- 12 Restaurant Hao Xiang, Jl. Mangga Besar Raya No. 87, ☏ +62 21 6264320. A Chinese restaurant.
- 13 Sate Domba Afrika Haji Ismail, Jl. Aipda. Ks. Tubun No. 6, Kota Bambu Selatan, Palmerah, ☏ +62 817 855 881. 10:00-19:00. An African-Indonesian dish. Grilled sheep with onion and eaten with fried banana. Start from Rp50,000.
- 14 Tamani Kafe, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 96A, Jl. Tomang Raya 15, ☏ +62 21 5694 3269, fax: +62 21 5694 3270. A western style restaurant, specializing in pasta and steaks. For drinks, have a try of the Thai Iced Tea. Mains from Rp50,000.
Splurge
[edit]- 15 Cafe Batavia, ☏ +62 21 691 5531. This establishment in the heart of Kota oozes old-school colonial style: it serves international and Indonesian food at brunch, lunch and dinner and doubles as a party spot at nights. Rp 100,000.
Drink
[edit]Bars
[edit]- Cafe Batavia, Taman Fatahillah, Kota, ☏ +62 21 691 5531. The downstairs music box bar is subtly lit with tables around couches. The upstairs Churchill bar next to the restaurant was rated in Newsweek's Best Bars in the World a few years ago. Great cocktails, beautiful building.
- Club 36 Bar, Jalam Hayam Wuruk 126 (located inside Hotel Jayakarta), ☏ +62 21 532 8682. Las Vegas style bar/girly bar with karaoke, and gogo dancers. Foreign dancers from Thailand, Turkey, eastern Europe. Opening hours: M-Sa 13:00-05:00, Su 18:00-05:00. 36 karaoke rooms.
- CT Bar (Chiao Tung), Jl Hayam Wuruk 123 (located inside Mercure Jakarta Kota), ☏ +62 21 6248680.
Coffee shops
[edit]- 1 Kopi Es Tak Kie, Gang Gloria, Glodok. 06:30-14:00. Traditional iced coffee in Chinatown. Start from Rp10,000.
Sleep
[edit]![]() |
Note: Two hotels in West Jakarta (Twin Plaza and Pullman Central Park) have been set as medical worker resting place and also as an isolation place for covid-19 patients. Please be extra careful when you stay at those hotels despite the pandemic is slowing down. |
(Information last updated 18 Apr 2022) |
Budget
[edit]- 1 Alma Hotel, Jl. K.S. Tubun No. 10A, ☏ +62 21 563 2222, fax: +62 21 563 2634. 5 minutes away on foot to Tanah Abang. Modern style hotel with decent rooms and restaurant. From Rp330,000.
- 2 Capitol, Jl. Toko Tiga Seberang 27, ☏ +62 21 629 6864. At the back door of Glodok. Budget style hotel with minimum facilities (AC, TV, hot shower). From Rp200,000.
- 3 ibis budget Jakarta Daan Mogot, Jalan Daan Mogot 50B, ☏ +62 21 2911 9000, info@ibisbudget-Jakarta-Daan-Mogot.com. A great option hotel for budget travelers from the Ibis brand, 10 minutes away from Taman Anggrek Mall. Modest amenities in rooms with colorful interior, the triple option includes a double bed and a bunk bed above it. From Rp278,000.
Mid-range
[edit]- 4 favehotel LTC Glodok, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 127 (Inside Lindeteves Trade Center, 8th floor), ☏ +622162318000, glodokinfo@favehotels.com. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. A fully air-conditioned hotel with complimentary high-speed WiFi and 32” TVs with international channels.
- 5 Hotel Menara Peninsula, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman 78, ☏ +62 21 535 0888. Convenient location, not terribly disturbed by the traffic despite at a main road, close to Sudirman and Taman Anggrek Mall. A good deal of rooms overlooking the breathtaking buildings on both sides of the hotel. The suites feature a large desk and free Internet, while the top floors include a dedicated check in desk and complimentary breakfast. Two of the restaurants offer signature fusion of dishes. From Rp900,000.
- 6 Jayakarta Hotel, Jl Hayam Wuruk 126, ☏ +62 21 649 6760, fax: +62 21 629 3000. Near the Glodok area. Good old hotel with classic rooms. Small in-house restaurant with mostly Indonesian dishes.
- 7 KIMAYA Slipi Jakarta (formerly "Ibis Slipi"), Jl. S. Parman Kav. 59, ☏ +62 21 533 1560, fax: +62 21 532 3880. A (nearly) budget hotel near the CBD. Good old style interior with basic rooms and its 2 restaurants. From Rp500,000.
- 8 Mercure Jakarta Kota, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 123, ☏ +62 21 624 8680. Conveniently located at the corner of Hayam Wuruk and Mangga Besar. A sense of red like the Mercure in the interior. Very spacious rooms and faintly hear the street sounds at the high floors. Nice breakfast with mainly Indonesian choices, but western menus also available. From Rp550,000.
- 9 Royal Palm Hotel, Jl. Outer Ring Road, Mutiara Taman Palem blok C1, ☏ +62 21 543 561 66, info@royalpalmjakarta.com. 3-star hotel with conference center.
- 10 Sparks Life Jakarta, Jl. Mangga Besar Raya 42,, ☏ +62 21 625 2534. Funky designer hotel in the corner from Mangga Dua and with good BRT access. You can choose not only your room type, but color as well (green, blue or purple). The upstairs is a loud bar with disco and dancers. Not suitable for families but may be great for bachelors or bachelorettes. From Rp450,000.
- 11 Twin Plaza (formerly Boulevard Park Plaza), Jl. S. Parman Kav 93-94, Slipi, ☏ +62 21 5696 0888, fax: +62 21 5696 0777. A colorful exterior but poorly lit and somewhat worn interior, at least it have the basic amenities and good breakfast. Located close to Taman Anggrek. From Rp700,000.
Splurge
[edit]- 12 Hotel Ciputra, Jalan Letnan Jenderal S. Parman, ☏ +62 21 5660640, mailjkt@hotelciputra.com. The first giant hotel you'll encounter when you make your way to the city from the airport. Get the room on the right wing (as you face the hotel) for a city view. The Cabana Suite is suitable for a family as it includes a Nintendo Wii, as well as a direct access to the pool. Artsy style restaurant and a bar beside the pool. Attached to Citraland Mall or within walking distance to Central Park or Mal Taman Anggrek. From Rp1,100,000.
- 13 Pullman Central Park, Jl. Letjen S. Parman, ☏ +62 21 2920 0088. A sleek 5-star hotel above the Central Park Mall. Chic and spacious rooms with a sense of black and white. All day dining at Collage with live cooking demonstrations and top off with a wine at Vinoteca or a Bloody Mary at Bunk bar. Also provides spa, massage, fitness and pool for your wellbeing. From Rp1,400,000.
- 14 Santika Premiere Slipi Jakarta, Jl. Aipda K.S. Tubun no. 7, ☏ +62 21 533 0350, fax: +62 21 548 3457. The flagship property of the local Santika brand.
Cope
[edit]Emergency numbers:
- Ambulance: 118.
- Police: 110.
- West Jakarta Police station: Jl. Raya Kembangan No. 2, Kebon Jeruk, Tel.: +62 21 5480303, +62 21 5482371.
List of hospitals with 24 hours emergency room (ER):
- 1 RS Graha Medika, Jl. Raya Perjuangan Kebon Jeruk, ☏ +62 21 5300 887, +62 21 5300 888, fax: +62 21 5300 876.
- 2 RS Patria, Jl. Cendrawasih No.1, Slipi, ☏ +62 21 530 8681, +62 21 530 8685, +62 21 534 6387.
- 3 RS PELNI Petamburan, Jl . Aipda K.S. Tubun 92-94, ☏ +62 21 5480608, +62 21 5484809, +62 21 5306901, fax: +62 21 5483145.
- 4 RS Sumber Waras, Jl. Kyai Tapa Grogol, ☏ +62 21 5682011, +62 21 5605800, fax: +62 21 5673122.
Go next
[edit]- The old Sunda Kelapa port of Jakarta (Batavia) is nearby in North Jakarta.The old port and the Museum Bahari are an interesting 20 minute walk from Fatahillah square.
- Tangerang, to the west, has a range of shopping malls and golf courses.
Routes through West Jakarta |
Anyer ← Tangerang ← | W ![]() |
→ North Jakarta → Panarukan |