Jakarta, the bustling capital of the vast nation of Indonesia is a diverse and fascinating city featuring a varied selection of attractions. The city reflects the unique and distinctive nature of the Indonesian people, who are noted for their inimitable culture. The tourist will find an array of interesting monuments as well as historical and cultural attractions in this captivating metropolis.
The National Monument, also known as Monas is an unmistakable symbol of the city. This immense marble column which rises 132 metres is topped with a sculpture that represents a billowing flame. This sculpted representation is coated with no less than 35 kg of precious gold leaf. The site is a meeting place for people of varied backgrounds and walks of life, as well as a venue for festivals and cultural events.
No visit to Indonesia would be complete without a visit to the fascinating Miniature Park of Indonesia. The nation of Indonesia is a vast archipelago including many far-flung provinces. At the Park, you will be able to understand the culture and lifestyles of the myriad of tribes and clans that make up this immense and diverse nation. Here you will also find an array of different museums, a cinema and theatres where cultural performances are held.
For recreational entertainment, there is no place like Ancol Dreamland, which is a popular attraction with a theme park, golf course, swimming pools and nightclubs. Here you will find Fantasy World, a modern amusement park, as well as a water park and a large oceanarium. For animal lovers, the place to go is the famed Ragunan Zoo, which boasts no less than 4,040 individual specimens belonging to 295 different species. This zoo is one of the foremost in the region, boasting many unusual and distinctive varieties.
Visitors should also make it a point to visit the Jakarta Old Town, which is the name given to a section of the city which has retained the cultural legacy of the Chinese and Dutch colonialists. These influences have left their mark with scenic old buildings, museums and recreational areas.
Tourists will come across a fine array of luxury hotels Indonesia to host their stay in the country, and the Starwood Indonesia is a great option that ranks among some of the best Indonesia 5 star hotels on the island.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.