//
Administrative city in Jakarta, Indonesia
Photo: Ardzun, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
Jembatan Kota Intan
A Dutch style drawbridge that crosses a canal, situated near what was once the Diamond Fort.
Museum Fatahillah
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.
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).
Museum Wayang
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.
Historic building that was used by Reynier de Klerk, Governor-General of VOC.
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.
Museum MACAN
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.
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!
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.
A type of Jakarta Ayam Kampung-Mie Ayam (chicken noodle that uses village chicken). A halal dish.
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.
Serves Mie juhi, a Betawi cuisine noodle dish. Noodles with dried squid and vegetables in peanut sauce.
Sell Mie kangkung literally means water spinach noodles. A Chinese-Betawi cuisine.
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).
Specializing in steak, quality on par with the cheap price.
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).
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.
A bakery that opened in the 1960s, serving delicious bread, both topped and filled.
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.
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.
A Chinese restaurant.
An African-Indonesian dish. Grilled sheep with onion and eaten with fried banana.
A western style restaurant, specializing in pasta and steaks. For drinks, have a try of the Thai Iced Tea.
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.
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.
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.
Chiao Tung
Traditional iced coffee in Chinatown.
5 minutes away on foot to Tanah Abang. Modern style hotel with decent rooms and restaurant.
At the back door of Glodok. Budget style hotel with minimum facilities (AC, TV, hot shower).
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.
A fully air-conditioned hotel with complimentary high-speed WiFi and 32” TVs with international channels.
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.
Near the Glodok area. Good old hotel with classic rooms. Small in-house restaurant with mostly Indonesian dishes.
formerly "Ibis Slipi"
A (nearly) budget hotel near the CBD. Good old style interior with basic rooms and its 2 restaurants.
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.
3-star hotel with conference center.
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.
formerly Boulevard Park Plaza
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.
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.
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.
The flagship property of the local Santika brand.
locally abbreviated to CP
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.
Citraland or abbreviated CL
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.
locally abbreviated TA
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.
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.
A classical style mall like the Plaza Senayan, without the premium fashion brands. One of the best places to eat with plenty of restaurants.
A budget shopping center.
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.
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 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
By bus
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.
By online transport
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.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Jakarta · International · CGK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about West and Indonesia.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.