Lapangan Merdeka (Freedom Square), Jakarta (must see)

Lapangan Merdeka or Freedom Square is the largest and most popular square in Jakarta. Placed in central Jakarta, the Merdeka Square measures one square kilometer and it is divided into four major areas corresponding to the four cardinal points. Thus, Taman Medan Merdeka Utara is located in the North and features a bust of Chairil Anwar (local poet) and an equestrian statue of Diponegoro (Javanese prince who opposed Dutch colonization). The Taman Medan Merdeka Timur is located in the East and features a statue of Kartini (Indonesian heroine) and a reflecting pond. On the South there is the Taman Medan Merdeka Selatan where tourists can admire a spotted deer park and a plant collection representing 33 Indonesian provinces. The parking lots and food stalls are concentrated here, too. Last but not least, the Taman Medan Merdeka Barat is located on the Western part and features the famous musical fountain. Magical shows are held here every night during the weekends, when the fountain is illuminated.

In the center of Lapangan Merdeka stands the National Monument, while numerous other touristic and administrative buildings trim the square. Merdeka Palace, Istiqlal Mosque and the National Museum of Indonesia are only few of the buildings with important touristic value located near Merdeka Square.