Explore Historical Buildings in Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour – Part 2

Learn History Through Iconic Buildings in Central Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour

If you are keen on to learn history or culture of places and countries, walking around while browsing for historical buildings might be a nice option of tour in Jakarta for you. In the previous part, we already talk about old buildings that are functioning as governmental buildings. So, in this part, we will introduce you other kinds that is used to run a business or other functions.

Walking Tour in Jakarta by Browsing Stores in the Iconic Shopping Complex

We have introduced you to the Pasar Baru shopping district, the iconic place with old buildings that was built in colonial era. If we walk deeper in the complex, we will find stores with unique foreign names that sells variety of things, mostly fabrics and textiles. Beside that, the most historical one is called “Toko Kompak”, that was originally the residence of the Major of Chinese community in the 80’s.

Zoom in to The Philately Building as A Part of the Tour in Jakarta

We have introduced you to the Pos Bloc, where it once was a post office. Later on, the name was Changed to “Gedung Filateli”, or philately building. The entrance and the name are preserved as is in the present, but the function has changed to be a creative space with a few stores inside.

Pass Through the News Agency Building While Walking Tour in Jakarta

The historical building was belonged to a Dutch’s private news agency. As time goes by, the building became the local news agency, Antara, thus the name of “Gedung Antara”. It was from the Antara radio station that the proclamation of Indonesian independency was broadcasted in the 1945.

Fulfil Your Spiritual Journey by Looking an Iconic Church as Your Tour in Jakarta

Still in Pasar Baru area, there is a another must see church beside the iconic Jakarta Cathedral, which is “Gereja Ayam” or translated as “chicken church”, since there is a weathercock on the rooftop of the church.

Finish Your Walking Tour in Jakarta with a Refreshing Ice Cream

After going around to see historical buildings, complete your walking tour by visiting an old ice cream store, also a historical place in Central Jakarta, “Ragusa Es Italia”. It was established in the 1930’s by Italian nationality that was come to Batavia.

To find and learn more about other historical places in Jakarta, come to the city and join our Jakarta Walking Tour. We will wait for your arrival, see you around!

Explore Historical Buildings in Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour – Part 1

Reminisce the Old Jakarta with Jakarta Walking Tour

Since in the past Indonesia was colonized for so many years in the past, the culture, lifestyle, and history had a wide spectrum. All the influences from different colonizers can be seen physically from the buildings that had erected since colonization era. Many of those had been renovated, changed ownership and functions. So, to learn more about what is happening to those buildings now, visit them if you happen to do a tour in Jakarta.

Governmental Buildings by Walking Tour in Jakarta

There are a few of buildings from the Dutch colonization that has been preserved and renovated, and many of them are functioning as governmental building through this day. These buildings can be found easily if you pass by Central Jakarta. We will break them down one by one to make you find it easier while exploring the area.

See Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta by Walking Tour in Jakarta

The Presidential Palace of Indonesia is called Istana Merdeka. It was the residence and office of the president of Republic of Indonesia. It was the residence of governor-general of the Dutch Indies in colonization era.

Court Buildings to See During Tour in Jakarta

There are two court buildings around Central Jakarta area, which are the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court. They are right at the north and west of National Monument, so you can take a quick look while passing by before or after visiting the landmark.

Take a Look of The New Paleis Van Daendels and The Old Supreme Court Buildings for Your Tour in Jakarta

Beside doing various activities in Lapangan Banteng, there are two historical buildings to see if you are in the complex. They were built in Dutch colonial era and now function as the office building of Ministry of Finance.

See The Similarities of the Buildings While You Explore with Walking Tour in Jakarta

If you are quite attentive, you might find similarities between the buildings that we mention above, which is the Roman style pillar in the entrance. Join our Jakarta Walking Tour to find if there are more similarities on the tour. See you around!

Some New Things You Can Do in Jakarta, Pos Bloc

Just last year, a new place had established as a new place for Things You Can Do in Jakarta, which is in Central Jakarta, the Pos Bloc. It used to be a post office but renovated and functioned as a business and entertainment center since November 2023.

A few Things You Can Do in Jakarta inside the Pos Bloc includes dining, snacking, shopping, sitting around, working, or taking photos. Once you arrive at the place, you will see a mix of new and old style in the design. Although the place had renovated, some parts of the old post office are persevered to provide the esthetic.

You will find many options for dining since many food tenants open their business there. Besides, there is also a minimarket where you can buy snacks and drinks. After that, you can sit and enjoy your snacks in front of the building outside since they provide many seats.

Not there are a load of Things You Can Do in Jakarta at Pos Bloc, but the location is also strategically easy to reach by public transport. You can ride Transjakarta Busway and get off at Pasar Baru Station, or Juanda Station if you are riding a commuter line. However, unfortunately there are not many parking spaces for private cars or motorbikes. So, you might have to park your vehicle at Pasar Baru across the Pos Bloc.

The Pos Bloc is open every day at 10 AM to 10 PM except weekend, since they will open from 7 AM. So, you can visit the Pos Bloc anytime you are available for Things You Can Do in Jakarta. You can dine, shop, and sit with a view of the street and the Pasar Baru shopping district while snacking.

If you happen to visit Jakarta someday, join us at Jakarta Walking Tour. We will take you around to find more Things You Can Do and see in Jakarta. Explore and dig deeper into the city and experience some interesting things and activities. Also, learn about the culture, delicacies, history and more. Just pick a date and the tour package and we will be happy to help you. See you around!

A Couple Things You Can Do in Jakarta, at Lapangan Banteng Area

If you like to do some activities instead of just shopping and dining, visiting a park could become your choice for Things You Can Do in Jakarta. So, if you want to explore parks in Central Jakarta, we suggest you visit Lapangan Banteng.

A brief history of the place, Lapangan Banteng used to be named “Waterlooplein” to commemorate the defeat of France in the Battle of Waterloo by the Dutch colony. There was a lion statue as a sign of victory, so the other name was “Lion Field”. Since the lion symbolize Dutch colonialism, the former president of Indonesia, Soekarno renamed the field as Lapangan Banteng or literally means “Buffalo’s Field”.

In the present time, Lapangan Banteng has been functioning as a recreational park. A place where you can do many activities for Things You Can Do in Jakarta. You can exercise, bike, run, picnic, or sightsee in the area. There is also an iconic monument where you can take pictures. It is a statue of a man with widespread arm, to representation of West Papua Liberation from the Dutch colony, Irian Jaya Liberation Monument.

The location is in the heart of the city, Central Jakarta, close with other iconic places such as the Jakarta Cathedral and Pos Bloc. So, you can make a short stop at other places before or after visiting the park. As there are many Things You Can Do in Jakarta around this area, you can choose which one suit your preference more.

The place is open from 6 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and closes at 9 PM on weekends. Another perk, there is a fountain attraction every Saturdays and Sunday nights from 6.30 to 7.30 PM. On certain occasions, plants and animals’ exhibitions held in the field. So, there are so many options for Things You Can Do in Jakarta in this place.

If you plan to visit Jakarta someday, join us on Jakarta Walking Tour. We will take you to learn in-depth about Jakarta’s history, culture, and see more interesting things in Central Jakarta. See you around!

Things You Can Do in Jakarta, Watching Art Shows in Gedung Kesenian Jakarta

Aside from culinary and shopping activities, you might seek another new and fresh experience when visiting Jakarta, so try visiting a theater as one of a few Things You Can Do in Jakarta. If you are exploring Pasar Baru area, make a stop to Jakarta Art Building or Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ).

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta is a theater building that is located near Pasar Baru shopping district. It is one of historical buildings in Central Jakarta as it is built in Dutch colonial era. Despite as a theater building, the building itself has been used for many purposes as years went by. Aside for performances, it was used to hold congress, military headquarters, and meetings. A few of them are the meeting for planning to achieve Indonesian independence.

Nowadays, the building has returned to function as a theater where art performances, concerts, and shows are held. So, it can be a different alternative for Things You Can Do in Jakarta aside from food and shopping spots. However, you might have to look for a schedule of what is playing for the day in advance. You can see more details from the website here: https://dkj.or.id/

The capacity of the building is about 475 people. It is free to visit the inside of the building, but if there are performances or shows, you must buy or make reservations for the tickets. This theater is very accessible, and you can reach the place by Transjakarta Bus or commuter line. Besides, it is located near Pasar Baru and Pos Bloc, so, watching shows and performances can make it to your list of Things You Can Do in Jakarta beside eating and shopping.

Come visit Jakarta, join our Jakarta Walking Tour, and we will be glad to help you recommend Things You Can Do in Jakarta, explore more places and enjoy more interesting experiences in Jakarta. See you around!

Things You Can do In Jakarta, Activities to Do in Pasar Baru

Once you arrive in Central Jakarta and if you might wonder what possibly the Things You can Do in Jakarta, come visit Pasar Baru. It is a district that includes various buildings that function as shops or restaurants. Despite the name as Pasar Baru or literally means “New Market”, this shopping district was established in 1820 when the city still using the Batavia name.

The iconic part of this district is the building style that reflects a mix between European and oriental style. So, the area stands out between the buildings around the districts, making it easy to be found. The district is located strategically near the other tourist spots such as Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral. It is also across the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, or Jakarta Art Building. There are many things to do in this iconic shopping district, so adding Pasar Baru to your Things You Can Do in Jakarta might be worth trying.

Culturally, the area reflects a mixed of Chinese, Dutch colonial, and Indian culture. You can find a lot of textile and carpet shops in the districts, thus the area is also known as the “Little India” of Indonesia, where a lot of people from Indian descendants open their business there. With many restaurants, food stalls, and shops open there, eating and shopping are the options of Things You Can Do in Jakarta.

Across the shopping district, there is the newly renovated Pos Bloc, that used to be a Post Office building, and functioned as a shopping and food district from 2022. You can clearly see the building from Pasar Baru’s main gate. You can easily reach the place by crossing the bridge over the river in front of Pasar Baru.

If you carefully stroll around the inside of Pasar Baru, you might find other Things You Can Do in Jakarta beside eating and shopping, as you might find some old temple or other unique building structure. So, if you have a chance to visit Jakarta, join our Jakarta Walking Tour, and we will take you to explore Jakarta with a closer look. See you around!

“Museum Gajah” Statue as An Iconic Things You Can See in Jakarta

If you heard “Museum Gajah” or translated as elephant museum, the first thing that came to your mind was probably it is a museum of elephants where elephants are preserved or contain a history about elephants, but this time, it is not the case if the elephant statue is one of the few Things You Can see in Jakarta.

The elephant museum is another name to mention the National Museum, the museum that is located right beside the National Monument or Monas, the landmark of Jakarta. The reason for the name is the location of the iconic elephant statue inside the museum’s complex.

The iconic bronze elephant statue is a gift from the leader of another South Asian Country, which is King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V of Thailand during his visit in the 1871. The statue is placed in front of the front door of the museum, so many people remember the museum as an elephant museum, the museum which has an elephant statue. And to this day, the museum has become one of a must Things You Can See in Jakarta.

However, the museum is currently still undergoing renovation after it caught fire in September 2023, so, it is still closed and might reopen again in a year or so. Meanwhile, during your stay in Jakarta, you can still visit other museum for other Things You Can See in Jakarta.

You can still visit the National Monument nearby the museum, or visit the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral nearby, or taking photos on other iconic spot or unique Things You Can See in Jakarta. If you are not sure where and what to do and see once you step into Central Jakarta, join our Jakarta Walking Tour. We will be delighted to give you recommendations and take you to see closer to what is Jakarta has to offer. See you around!

MH. Thamrin Statues as Things You Can See in Jakarta

Aside from Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, Jl. MH. Thamrin also the Things You Can See in Jakarta as the location of business center. MH. Thamrin is a familiar name for Indonesian, especially Jakartans, as he is one of the heroes that plays a huge rule for Indonesian independency.

Mohammad Husni Thamrin or widely known as MH. Thamrin who was born in Batavia is a politician and Indonesian nationalist who advocated for Indonesian independence from the Dutch colony. His huge role makes him one of the most respected national heroes of Indonesia, thus, to commemorate him, many traces of him can be found in Jakarta. Not only his statue, but street, MRT station, and museum are named by his. This fact made MH. Thamrin name is a familiar and common Things You Can See in Jakarta.

There is not only one statue of him that was erected, but three statues as Things You Can See in Jakarta if you are visiting and touring around Central Jakarta area. The oldest one is in the MH. Thamrin Museum’s area. His figure is carrying a book while standing and making a pointing gesture. The second statue is in the west part of the National Monument, but it is different from the first statue as the statue is not a full body figure.

The newest and most iconic one was erected on the intersection of Medan Merdeka and MH. Thamrin Street in Central Jakarta. This statue will become a popular spot for taking photos if there is an event in Jakarta, such as Jakarta’s anniversary. Many people visit Central Jakarta and take photos around the statue while visiting the National Monument area.

If you are curious to find out aside from statues as Things You Can See in Jakarta, come visit and join our Jakarta Walking Tour. We will take you to an interesting and insightful journey of Jakarta. See you around!

The Great Commander Statue as Things You Can See in Jakarta

Once you arrived in Jakarta, one of the common Things You Can See in Jakarta is symbolic signs that represent the people’s struggle to fight for their independence. One of them is heroes’ statues that has been erected in many spots across Indonesia, especially in Jakarta.

One of the most influential figures that contributed a lot for Indonesian independence is The Great Commander Sudirman, or Jenderal Sudirman. He is the first commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and played a huge role to prevent the Dutch plan to decolonize Republic of Indonesia in the Serangan Umum 1 Maret on the year of 1949.

Indonesian citizens have so much respect for him, thus there is a street in Jakarta is named by his. It is the Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, or General Sudirman Street, where his big statue was erected and standing tall. The size is 12 meters with the weight of four tons. The statue makes a salute’s gesture, which is said that it means he wants to respect the people, instead to be respected by people. Indonesian put huge respects for heroes that contributes to Indonesian independence, so heroes’ statues is one of the view Things You Can See in Jakarta.

It is also the iconic Things You Can See in Jakarta, especially in the center and southern parts of Jakarta. The strategic location, as it is near the Sudirman Commuter Line Station and Dukuh Atas BNI MRT Station, makes it easy to reach by. However, amidst the location that is in the middle of Transjakarta Busway lanes, you can only take a picture up close when the Car Free Day is held on Sundays.

Nevertheless, you can still try to take shot from the pedestrian bridge nearby. The statue has such a contrast view from other tall buildings surrounds it and looks beautiful at night as the light from nearby buildings shines to it. If you are curious to find more about Things You Can See in Jakarta, join our Jakarta Walking Tour to walk with us and discover great things in Jakarta. See you around!

The Iconic Monument Selamat Datang as Things You Can See in Jakarta

When arriving in Jakarta and your destination is Central Jakarta, you will feel welcomed as one of the Things you Can See in Jakarta are a pair of statues that will be ready to greet you with their open arms. This pair of statues are a set of “Monumen Selamat Datang”, or literally means “welcome” statues.  

It is one of the iconic landmarks of Jakarta, as the location is in Central Jakarta, where the governmental and corporates’ buildings are gathered and standing tall. The statue is in the center of the roundabout near Hotel Indonesia, thus the name “Bundaran HI”. The statue is encircled by a beautiful water fountain, making it an iconic spot of Things You Can See in Jakarta.

Aside from the statues and its water fountain, there is another photo spot that you can see while you walk near Bundaran HI, which is a Transjakarta Bus Shelter, named Bundaran HI Astra Station. This iconic bus shelter is shaped like a cruise ship, completed with commercial area inside. What’s more, the strategic location provides a best view of Central Jakarta as one of the platforms is facing MH. Thamrin Street, while the other side is facing the “Monumen Selamat Datang”. So, you will get a nice view of the statue if you take photos on the second floor of the bus shelter.

Another activity that you can do around the statue is exercising, as Car Free Day events are usually held around the Bundaran HI. No motor vehicles are allowed to pass during this event, and people will gather to exercise, run, or cycling, and take photos together around the area. This event is usually held on a certain week on Sundays.  

A similar spot is Tosari Transjakarta Bus Shelter, also located near the Bundaran HI and the monument, with the same shape as the Bundaran HI shelter, it can be a good alternative of Things You Can See in Jakarta other than the most iconic one. Want to explore more Things You Can See in Jakarta? Then join our Jakarta Walking Tour during your visit to find out more about Jakarta. See you around!