Jakarta Barat – Kota Tua Old Town and Chinatown in West Jakarta
Jakarta Barat (West Jakarta) is the western administrative city of Jakarta Special Capital Region. The area encompasses Jakarta's historic heart: the Kota Tua (Old Town) Dutch colonial quarter and the Glodok Chinese quarter. West Jakarta is the city's oldest and culturally richest part.
Attractions and Activities
Kota Tua (Old Batavia) is Jakarta's best-known historic quarter: around Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah) stand the Jakarta History Museum (former Stadhuis), the Wayang Museum (puppet museum) and the Fine Art Museum. Dutch colonial architecture can be admired throughout the quarter. Glodok (Jakarta Chinatown) is one of South-East Asia's oldest Chinese quarters: Jin De Yuan Buddhist temple, narrow lanes and street food. The Sunda Kelapa old port still hosts traditional pinisi sailing ships.
Culture and Cuisine
West Jakarta is where Betawi, Chinese and Dutch cultural heritage meet. Street cafes and galleries around Kota Tua are venues for the new creative scene. The cuisine is extraordinarily diverse: nasi uduk (coconut rice Betawi-style), kerak telor (egg rice cake), Chinese bakmi noodles, lumpia (spring rolls), and es selendang mayang (Betawi iced dessert) are unmissable.
Public Safety
Jakarta Barat is a busy metropolitan environment. Take care around Kota Tua and Glodok at night – petty pickpocketing may occur. Traffic is extremely heavy. Medical care is excellent – Jakarta has numerous world-class hospitals.
Practical Information
From Soekarno-Hatta Airport, approximately 30–60 minutes by car (traffic-dependent). Kota Tua is accessible by TransJakarta bus or KRL Commuterline (Jakarta Kota station). The climate is warm and humid year-round. Accommodation: the neighbouring Jakarta Pusat and Selatan areas offer wider selection.
