Insiders' guide to Jakarta: from cultural festivals to traditional markets and hip coffee shops
However, many travellers dismiss Jakarta as little more than a transit hub for travel across Indonesia. Spend a little time here, though, and you'll find cultural attractions aplenty, delicious food and drink, and a wealth of shopping opportunities.
The real deal
The entrance to Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown. Photo: Josh Edwards
'To see the real Jakarta, take a wander down the alleyways, in the kampongs,' says coffee shop owner Reza Adhiatma, who was born and raised in the Indonesian capital. 'You'll see daily life unfolding, food vendors, people at work. It's an interesting contrast to the shiny side of Jakarta that most visitors see.'
The city can be overwhelming to navigate, though, and Adhiatma recommends starting in Glodok.
Museum MACAN is the place to go in Jakarta for modern and contemporary art. Photo: Josh Edwards
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