Music is the rhythm of urban life. Being one of the most populous cities in the world, Jakarta appears as an emerging market for music industry. In conjunction with the spread of globalization wave, Jakarta citizens become more familiar with various music genres over and above music performers across the world. International singers, groups, or bands consider themselves to visit Jakarta due to immense public demand for performances. Along with the escalating number of concerts and music festivals, Jakarta turns out to be one of international music performers’ main destinations in Asia.
Many reputable international singers and musicians shortlist Jakarta as a destination city within their world tours in recent years. Katy Perry, Jessie J, Justin Bieber, Elton John, Roxette, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and David Guetta are some big names in music industry that came to Jakarta in 2012. Those artists favor to perform in Jakarta because great numbers of urbanites are loyal fans of theirs. Jakarta also flourishes as the home of international music festivals. JakJazz Festival, Java Rockin’ Land, Java Soulnation, Jakarta Blues Festivaland Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival are the instances of large-scale music festivals held annually in Jakarta. During several days of the events, renowned musicians gather and perform in noteworthy feasts that enable people to enjoy the breezy music atmosphere. Besides the concerts, the music festivals do not merely attract citizens of Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia, but it also allures guests from neighboring countries and relatively distant countries to some extent.
Almost all music venues are situated in Senayan quarter. Plenary Hall Jakarta Convention Center, Istora Senayan, and Tennis Indoor Senayan are allegedly international entertainers’ most favorite venues for performances. Recently a lot of concerts are stood in Ancol Bay City Recreational Park, specifically at Mata Elang International Stadium and Ocean Ecopark. A larger venue than the aforementioned ones is Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran where the Java Jazz Festival has been regularly conducted per annum since 2010. Another popular venue for concerts is Sentul International Convention Center; a newly-established venue located about 30 km southward Jakarta. Additionally, some indie acts bring about their performances in cultural centers, hotel ballrooms, even cafés or clubs in downtown Jakarta.
The massive numbers of concerts and music festivals in Jakarta indicate that Jakarta has been regarded as a major city of music shows in Asia. People don’t have to fly abroad for watching concerts or attending music festivals because many world’s prominent singers, groups, or bands stop by in Jakarta. The frequent visits of international artists, great concerts, plus dazzling festivals imply that Jakarta is a favorable host city for world-scale music events. In the past years, Jakarta has been sprucing and straightening up to be a more benign city for residents and visitors. Moreover, the governments of Jakarta Special Capital Region and private developers cooperatively improve supporting infrastructures as well as manage the safety in order to magnetize both artists and fans. In such a way, the advancements brace the eminence of Jakarta on global entertainers.
Jakarta develops as the rising target for international music market alongside the city development. Stay updated, mark your calendars, get the tickets, and see your idols in Jakarta.
Jalan Jaksa (often abbreviated as “Jl. Jaksa”, literally means “Attorney Street”) rises to prominence as the integrated backpacker district in Jakarta. Since the late 1960s, the district has been designed as the main low-cost accommodation and nightlife entertainment area. Many tourists from multifarious countries prefer to sojourn in Jalan Jaksa because they can blend with local culture and feel the real atmosphere of Jakarta in comfortable and affordable way. Jalan Jaksa presents the unique mixture of local and international environment in downtown Jakarta.
Affordable accommodation is the key feature of Jalan Jaksa. A number of budget hotels and dorms are spread through the 400 meters of the street. The room rates are variably from IDR 75,000 to 150,000 (about US$ 7.9–US$ 15.8) per night. You can get special experience by staying in cheap lodging provided by local residents. Like all backpacker districts in world’s other big cities, Jalan Jaksa is the home of many restaurants, bars, and cafés as well as pavement food stalls. Beers and many kinds of drink are available in plenty spots around Jalan Jaksa. The restaurants and cafés serve you wide-ranging foods from conventional Western to Asian, but you can also try the delicate local cuisines such as fried rice, fried noodles, and satay in several eateries or sidewalk food stalls. Jalan Jaksa district also provides money changers, laundries, travel agents, internet cafés, and convenience stores. In addition, wireless internet connection is widely available in various hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafés throughout Jalan Jaksa.
Situated in the heart of Jakarta, Jalan Jaksa is a strategic dwelling for travelers. It is located just about 1.5 km southward the National Monument which is widely recognized as the landmark of Jakarta. In comparatively short distance from the National Monument, you can also visit the National Museum by taking a walk. Travelers can easily explore fascinating places in other parts of Jakarta as the northern part of Jalan Jaksa is relatively close to TransJakarta Bank Indonesia shelter, whereas the southern part is not far from TransJakarta Sarinah shelter. You can feel the ambience of colonial Jakarta in the old town quarter, see the cultural diversity of Indonesia at Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah), look around the animals at Ragunan Zoo, spend leisure times at Ancol Bay City Recreational Park, and go to many other places by only taking TransJakarta bus. Moreover, Jalan Jaksa is also near to Gondangdia train station where you can start your journey to the hinterlands of Jakarta.
For travelers who like to shop, staying in Jalan Jaksa is a perfect choice as it is located near a number of shopping malls in Central Jakarta. Jalan Jaksa is reachable in walking distance from Sarinah Plaza, the very first modern shopping mall in Jakarta where you can purchase assorted Batik collections plus Indonesia’s distinctive artwork and souvenirs. You can also come to shopping malls surrounding the HI Roundabout (Bundaran HI), Plaza Indonesia—the home of luxurious international brands which is adjacent to eX Entertainment X’nter—and Grand Indonesia Shopping Town—the largest shopping and entertainment complex in downtown Jakarta. Jalan Jaksa is also not far from Tanah Abang Blok A Market, the largest wholesale shopping center in Jakarta.
Every year the government of Jakarta Special Capital Region conducts Jalan Jaksa Festival, a joyful celebration of Jakarta’s anniversary. Jalan Jaksa Festival is regularly held in the middle of the year as a sequential attraction within the anniversary of Jakarta.The street is closed for vehicles, so anyone could intermingle to enjoy street parades and live music. During the festival, visitors are entertained with various cultural arts of indigenous Betawi people such as ondel-ondel (giant mascot puppets), palang pintu (traditional martial art), gambang kromong (traditional music), tanjidor (traditional orchestra), and marawis (traditional percussion). In addition, there are also booths displaying local products and culinary bazaar in this annual event.
The cheapest way to get to Jalan Jaksa from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is by taking Damri bus to Gambir train station for IDR 20,000 (about US$ 2.1). Then you can continue by taking taxi, bajaj (three-wheel motorcycle), or ojek (motorcycle taxi) for approximately IDR 10,000 to IDR 15,000 (about US$ 1.1–US$ 1.6). Otherwise, you can take a walk from Gambir train station to Jalan Jaksa for roughly 1.5 km. If you are taking TransJakarta bus, hop off at Sarinah or Bank Indonesia shelter and take a promenade to Jalan Jaksa.
If you are traveling to Jakarta in limited budget, Jalan Jaksa is undoubtedly the most suitable place for you to rest upon. Get the nicest experience of low-cost traveling in Indonesia’s largest city by spending time in Jalan Jaksa.
JAKARTA: AN INFINITE PARADISE FOR SHOPPING GETAWAYS
As a vibrant metropolitan and nation’s capital, Jakarta undoubtedly offers the best shopping venues on all corners of the city. In Jakarta, there is no better time for you to indulge senses by experiencing, perhaps, one of the most exciting shopping journeys in your life, because everyday is a perfect day to shop, sightsee and spend!
To enjoy the magnificent visit of a lifetime, Jakarta is a true definition of the unlimited choices to shop. From the high-end fashion brands to the hippest local trend are available in stores. Glittering shopping malls, glamorous plazas to the friendly local bargain markets are easily found right in your fingertips. In every region of the city, there is always a place for you to spend. Here is a guide to ease and give you ideas how to make the most of your visit. A chic guide to exhaust your dancing feet by strolling to the few places we would like to recommend:
Sarinah Plaza
The nation’s unofficial national mall, has a lot of outlets to see inside. This shopping spree is the first air-conditioned shopping mall in Indonesia. Here, you will find all the clothings, cosmetics, jewelry, housewares, artwork and souvenirs for you to purchase and take home. A must visit is to the 4th floor where you can find selections of Batik cloths and creations (a signature cloth of Indonesia) and 5th floor where you can shop some other Indonesia’s signature artwork and souvenirs for your loved ones. It is located on the main M.H. Thamrin street right across the Bank of Indonesia and right next to the Djakarta Theatre building and Sari Pan Pacific Hotel.
Plaza Indonesia
A luxurious home to more than 250 stores, including international brands as well as local wares. Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louboutin, Zara and Salvatore Ferragamo, just to name a few, are housed under one roof. Being also adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, makes an easier access for business travelers to spend their spare times for a quick getaway from meetings. Plaza Indonesia Extension, open at late 2009 is the newest expansion. Here, lavish shoppers will be spoilt with even more tenants, including Louis Vuitton and several great selections of culinary fine resto. Miniapolis at the 3rd floor in which is dedicated for kids, is a perfect spot for your children to be pampered with many fun activities, including a playground and arcade, a cho-cho train ride, kids clothing store, to candies and popcorns stores. It is located on the iconic HI roundabout.
Grand Indonesia Shopping Town
This gigantic shopping complex, just like the name, is truly like a small town for shoppers. Seibu department stores, a 13-auditoriums cineplex, and other high-end single and retail shops as well as children fun center and food courts are something to be seen at all premises. Try the tasty local dishes or international fare dining at the top floor’s food haven called Food Louver. Grand Indonesia Shopping Town is also adjacent to the nation’s first ever hotel being built, which is the legendary yet newly-refurbished Indonesia Kempinski Hotel. This shopping town is located right across the Plaza Indonesia, which is on HI roundabout.
Jalan Surabaya
Jalan Surabaya market (or Surabaya street market, located in Menteng area) has been known for selling antiques, rare finds and other quirky stuff. If you are lucky enough, you can get golden or silver plated items with a very good prices here. This market is also an ideal place for you to shop some souvenirs.
Tanah Abang Market Blok A
is a massive building for bargain hunters. There, people can shop for many kinds of textiles, clothing items, luggages, fashion accessories, and many more in bulk or retail. The center is famous for its wholesale shopping, and is the biggest in Jakarta.
Ancol Arts Market
Located inside the Ancol Bay City Recreational Park complex, Ancol Arts Market has many locally crafted souvenirs such as woodcarvings, paintings and seashell creations with a very good price selection. You can also request customized paintings, even made to your self portraits, to the artists directly.
Mangga Dua Shopping Complex
This wholesale center offers an interesting selection of wares including bargain clothing and electronics (computer shops, computer games, game consoles, audio appliances, etc). There are at least four shopping centers interlinked to each other offering endless bargain and shopping experience (ITC Mangga Dua and Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua mainly sell clothes while electronics at Mall Mangga Dua and Harco Mangga Dua). Definitely a place for gadgets and technology gadgets, also a paradise for bargain hunters.
Kelapa Gading
Located in the Kelapa Gading residential neighbourhood in North Jakarta, there is a string of four giant shopping malls of Kelapa Gading Mall with major department stores (including Sogo and Star), high street brands, clothing, cafes and food courts. Pendopo located in Kelapa Gading Mall 5 is also a great place for you to hunt for local souvenirs. Still located in the shopping complex, the food haven La Piazza is in the strecth of the mall (next to Kelapa Gading Mall 1). Meanwhile, the newest addition is Mall of Indonesia with tenants mix of a department store, gym, cineplex, and a children theme park that fills the center atrium, as well as a complex of luxurious apartments and condominium.
Plaza Senayan
Located in Jalan Asia Afrika near the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Plaza Senayan has two major department stores, Sogo and Metro, as well as upscale fashion outlets, such as Prada, Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Diane von Furstenberg and the likes. Plaza Senayan might be one of the oldest, but still has been remained one of the most luxurious shopping plazas in Indonesia due to its prime location nearby high-end housing residences and business districts. Cineplex and food courts are also available inside.
Senayan City
Another upscale complex of shopping mall, office tower, and apartments. The tenant mix is moreover the same as in Plaza Senayan (high end shops). Newer and bigger building with tons of food galore selections are there to be enjoyed by yourself or with family. Fitness First gym center and UK’s Debenhams department store are definitely two of the most favorite tenants of the mall.
fX Lifestyle X-nter
fX Lifestyle X-nter is a lifestyle center offering a new concept of shopping center. Cafes, restaurants, a gym, and other specialized shops are the highlight of this swanky entertainment center. It also features an exciting mixture of unique business centers (fPod) with a playful arcade of ‘Atmosfear’, a glass-enclosed slide ride in the atrium that span for at least 4-storey high. fX is also adjacent to Harris Hotel and Apartment, Sudirman. The hotel can be accessed through the mall’s main lobby.
Pacific Place Mall
A high-end giant shopping spree attached to Ritz Carlton Jakarta-Pacific Place offering upscale brands and stores, dining outlets, a cineplex, and an indoor edutainment center for children, Kidzania, of which is the biggest in Southeast Asia. The building is located in the SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District) area.
Pondok Indah Mall,
A cavernous two-mall establishment in the upmarket Pondok Indah residential neighbourhood. With the further developed area, Pondok Indah Mall also will be offering a new plethora of eating and shopping opportunities.
TebetArea
Tebet Area is located in between South and East Jakarta. This unique place is mainly a residence area where you can find quite a number of establishments mushrooming the road, from modest cafes to independent clothing stores (called distro). A favourite hang-out place for youngsters.
Opening Hours
Most shopping malls have opening hours from 10AM to 10PM. Cafes and eateries inside the mall might have slightly different opening hours and open longer in the weekend. Wholesale centers (such as Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua) open from as early as 9AM and close in the early evening (around 4PM).
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