Day 01
Discover Old Batavia, Chinatown, and Sunda Kelapa Harbour
- Your driver will pick you up at the airport or from a pickup point of your choice within Jakarta City.
- Your first stop is Istiqlal Mosque. Before entering the mosque, it is important to remove your shoes in accordance with Muslim religious regulations. Your guide will take you through the history and corners of the mosque. Also known as the Independence Mosque, Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the 9th largest mosque in the world in terms of worshipper capacity.
- The next stop is Jakarta Cathedral, located right across from the mosque. The cathedral is one of the oldest churches standing in the area, predating the mosque, so this district has a history dating back to the Dutch era. This neo-gothic church was consecrated in 1901 after being rebuilt on the same site. Jakarta Cathedral is located near Merdeka Square, the Presidential Palace, and directly opposite Istiqlal Mosque.
- On the way to Chinatown, you will make two picturesque stops at the Presidential Palace and the National Monument. The National Monument is a 132 m tall obelisk-like structure in the center of Merdeka Square, built to commemorate Indonesia's struggle for independence. You will stop here for 15 minutes.
- You will stop for lunch next, and local food will be provided. If you would prefer to eat at Cafe Batavia at your own expense, please mention this to your guide beforehand.
- After lunch, continue to Glodok Chinatown Temple and the local market, one of the oldest sites in the city. Chinatown has a bustling market and monuments such as an old pagoda built in 1650. It is the largest Chinatown in the country. From here, you will take a tuk-tuk, or a car if you prefer, to the Old Town.
- After arriving in Old Batavia by tuk-tuk or car, your guide will explain the history of Batavia in full detail, recalling centuries of Indonesian colonization dominated by Europeans. Immerse yourself in the architecture of European- and Chinese-style buildings.
- Your next stop is the Fatahillah Museum, located on the south side of Fatahillah Square, the former Batavia city square, near the Wayang Museum. The building is believed to have been modeled after Dam Palace. Before becoming a museum, it served as the city hall of Batavia, known as the Stadhuis. The first Stadhuis was completed in 1627 on the site of the present building. Construction of the current structure continued in 1649. In 1707, the building was renovated again, resulting in the structure seen today. The renovation was completed in 1710, and the building was inaugurated by Governor-General Abraham van Riebeeck as the administrative headquarters of the Dutch East India Company.
- You will then move on to Makutharama Puppet Studio in the Old Town. Some of the buildings here were originally built as official workspaces, churches, and banks, and are now used as museums, studios, and cafes. Here, you will learn how puppets are made and, if time allows and you are interested, watch a 9-minute performance and browse for good souvenirs.
- Your final stop is Sunda Kelapa Harbour, or the Old Harbour, not far from the Old Town. This was the route used by colonizers to enter the city. It is a very old harbour and one of the biggest in the country, constructed in the 15th century and dominated by Asian ethnic communities before the arrival of Europeans. The harbour is still active for logistics and trading transport. Here, a Phinisi boat has been arranged to wrap up the experience. After a 15-minute boat ride, you will return to your hotel in about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
