Jakarta Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Jakarta

The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is a massive, fast-paced metropolis and a melting pot of cultures – Asian and European – that historically coexisted and imprinted their influence on the city's architecture, language, cuisine, and lifestyle. The local Istiqlal Mosque is the largest Islamic temple in Southeast Asia, while the Neo-Gothic Gereja Katedral, also known as the Jakarta Cathedral or Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption, is one of Jakarta's most recognizable landmarks.

"A city that is always moving, always changing, always growing," they say, Jakarta is not only the political and economic heart of Indonesia but also one of the most populous cities in Southeast Asia.

Its history started in the 4th century, then a small town called Sunda Kelapa. By the 13th century, the city had grown to become the capital of the Hindu Kingdom of Sunda which allied with the Portuguese who built a seaport here, in 1522. Five years later, the city was conquered by the Muslim Sultanate of Banten and subsequently renamed "Jakarta" which comes from a combination of two Sanskrit words: jaya (victorious) and krta (accomplished). The name was given by the Javanese Prince Jayawikarta, whose army ultimately defeated and drove the Portuguese away.

In 1619, the Dutch East India Company established a settlement in Jakarta, which later became the center of the Dutch colonial administration, in the 18th and 19th centuries. During World War II, Jakarta was occupied by the Japanese, and after the war, became the capital of independent Indonesia, in 1949. A 132-meter-high National Monument, the symbol of Indonesia's independence is now one of the city's top attractions.

Jakarta is also known for its shopping malls, ranging from luxury to budget-friendly options, and a rather diverse food scene, featuring both traditional Indonesian cuisine and international fare. A famous chef and TV host once remarked that "Jakarta is a city that never stops eating."

Indeed, Jakarta is a city of contrasts that can surprise you at every turn. If you love surprises and are keen to experience first-hand the complexity of Jakarta, with its mix of modernity and tradition, rapid growth and change, you may certainly benefit from this self-guided introductory walk.