Jakarta Kota Photo Gallery

From all my research sources, there was a unanimous disapproval for venturing into Jakarta for sightseeing between flights. There was nothing to see. Traffic is bad and I would miss my flight. Jams can happen at any time and I could be stuck for hours. Nevertheless, the decision was made to head out and give it a half day's chance in Kota, the historic heart.

Despite the end of Ramadan, the drive into the city was surprisingly smooth and the taxi stopped at Old Batavia in about 40 minutes only. This colonial structure was the former town hall from the Dutch days.

Colourful bicycles are available for rent with a matching hat.

The square is surrounded by imposing colonial buildings. There weren't too many people hovering around. Perhaps the city emptied out before the imminent public holiday?

The Wayang museum's dusty and badly-lit cabinets showcase Indonesian puppets in 2 colonial buildings.

There are interesting museums in Kota. Museum Bank Mandiri occupies an art deco structure and showcases the bank's history from a historic banking hall down to money counting machines.

The Chinese were known for their accounting skills back during the colonial era, and they were hired to manage money in this "Chinese" room.

The Dutch colonialists were here to extract Indonesia's natural resources.

A huge collection of vintage machinery sprinkles throughout the huge building.

The old banking hall is quite beautiful and I was surprised the museum was quite deserted.

Do you remember the era when ATMs looked like this?

No visit to a bank is complete until you see the vaults in the basement.

Upstairs, stained glass windows adorned the staircase and opening up to huge meeting rooms.

Next door, the Museum Bank Indonesia offers a more modern interactive experience, tracing the country's financial services industry from the colonial trade to the 1997 financial crisis.

Now the Jakarta History Museum, this landmark closed early due to Ramadan.

I returned in 2017 to see the interiors, which were not particularly special and had a few pieces of period furniture.

The Chicken Market Bridge is now closed to foot or vehicle traffic and barricaded on both sides. Boats used to sail upriver through here in the 17th century, which required the drawbridge to be raised.

While I got here in a comfortable, air-conditioned Blue Bird taxi, locals would get by with the less luxurious tuk tuk.

It is not easy to walk around along the streets, but with no proper taxis in sight, walking was the last option available. Jakarta's urban planning seems a big mess, and the streets in this part of town are definitely not pedestrian-friendly.

Syahbandar Tower served as the customs office to control ships into and out of Batavia's harbour. But the great harbour is gone. What you see now is a pool of ugly, still water.

If the dirty water doesn't kill the invaders already, this cannon should finish them off.

An informal market wraps around this deserted tourist sight. Many people ride motorcycles in the city. Protect yourself and wear a helmet.

The Maritime Museum is housed in several old VOC warehouses that date back from the 17th century. They closed early for Ramadan as well but I was happy to admire the architecture from the outside.

Historic architecture sits next to decaying cityscape everywhere.

Kota is serviced by both train and bus. Outside these stations, a huge street food presence has gathered.

Back to Jakarta Main


From all my research sources, there was a unanimous disapproval for venturing into Jakarta for sightseeing between flights. There was nothing to see. Traffic is bad and I would miss my flight. Jams can happen at any time and I could be stuck for hours. Nevertheless, the decision was made to head out and give it a half day's chance in Kota, the historic heart. Despite the end of Ramadan, the drive into the city was surprisingly smooth and the taxi stopped at Old Batavia in about 40 minutes only. This colonial structure was the former town hall from the Dutch days. Colourful bicycles are available for rent with a matching hat. The square is surrounded by imposing colonial buildings. There weren't too many people hovering around. Perhaps the city emptied out before the imminent public holiday? The Wayang museum's dusty and badly-lit cabinets showcase Indonesian puppets in 2 colonial buildings. There are interesting museums in Kota. Museum Bank Mandiri occupies an art deco structure and showcases the bank's history from a historic banking hall down to money counting machines. The Chinese were known for their accounting skills back during the colonial era, and they were hired to manage money in this "Chinese" room. The Dutch colonialists were here to extract Indonesia's natural resources. A huge collection of vintage machinery sprinkles throughout the huge building.





The old banking hall is quite beautiful and I was surprised the museum was quite deserted.



Do you remember the era when ATMs looked like this?

No visit to a bank is complete until you see the vaults in the basement.




Upstairs, stained glass windows adorned the staircase and opening up to huge meeting rooms.



Next door, the Museum Bank Indonesia offers a more modern interactive experience, tracing the country's financial services industry from the colonial trade to the 1997 financial crisis.








Now the Jakarta History Museum, this landmark closed early due to Ramadan. I returned in 2017 to see the interiors, which were not particularly special and had a few pieces of period furniture. The Chicken Market Bridge is now closed to foot or vehicle traffic and barricaded on both sides. Boats used to sail upriver through here in the 17th century, which required the drawbridge to be raised. While I got here in a comfortable, air-conditioned Blue Bird taxi, locals would get by with the less luxurious tuk tuk. It is not easy to walk around along the streets, but with no proper taxis in sight, walking was the last option available. Jakarta's urban planning seems a big mess, and the streets in this part of town are definitely not pedestrian-friendly.
Syahbandar Tower served as the customs office to control ships into and out of Batavia's harbour. But the great harbour is gone. What you see now is a pool of ugly, still water. If the dirty water doesn't kill the invaders already, this cannon should finish them off. An informal market wraps around this deserted tourist sight. Many people ride motorcycles in the city. Protect yourself and wear a helmet. The Maritime Museum is housed in several old VOC warehouses that date back from the 17th century. They closed early for Ramadan as well but I was happy to admire the architecture from the outside. Historic architecture sits next to decaying cityscape everywhere. Kota is serviced by both train and bus. Outside these stations, a huge street food presence has gathered.