Strolling around Jakarta isn't at the top of most people's list of fun weekend activities. new york times A few years ago, I called Jakarta “the city no one wants to walk in.”
But in recent years, urban walking has gained prominence in the capital, with groups such as Rame Rame Jakarta, Jalan Gembira and Gang.Gang.An emphasizing that some aspects of the city can only be fully appreciated on foot. doing.
Meanwhile, groups such as Koalisi Pejaran Kaki (Pedestrian Coalition) are calling on local governments to make the country's cities more walkable by installing better pavements and promoting public transport.
And away from the busy boulevards, Jakarta's neighborhoods and neighborhoods are filled with generations-old restaurants, small parks, and the odd historical building to wander around aimlessly, with one or more friends, and to talk to passersby. It is filled with sights and sounds waiting to be discovered. on the road.
We've compiled a list of our favorite flannery places in Jakarta, but we don't recommend going on foot. Nykaa (barefoot), as Coldplay's Chris Martin did.
1. Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta
First developed in 1820, Pasar Baru was once an upscale shopping district. It is known for its large Chinese and Indian communities and is definitely one of the best places for a weekend stroll.
Here you can find winding alleys leading to one of the oldest in Jakarta. clenten (Chinese Temple), Sin Tek Bio is thought to have been built in 1698 and retains some of its original features.
Wind your way through the area's streets and covered markets to Jl. Passing through Pintu Airaya and entering what looks like a private housing complex, we find Tokokopi Hisal, a cafe based in the family home of Tiotek, the founder of Indonesia's first record label.
Across the street is Istana Mall, mostly empty except for a selection of batiks and, in a slightly sinister contrast, a store stocking airguns and self-defense gear. Climb to the rooftop parking lot for picture-postcard views of the city from the top of Istiklal Mosque to the National Monument (Monas).
There is something peaceful about Pasar Baru. Boxes of fresh fruit stacked in an alley off the main street, incense wafting in the air, cats lounging in a rectangle of sunlight. Once you're done walking, just drag your tired body to Pasar Jaya He market and drink an iced orange he juice while enjoying the blissful coolness of the air-conditioned facility.
2. From Cikini to Gondandia to Central Jakarta
Depending on the season, you might find yourself strolling through the streets of Gondandia, overhanging bougainvillea bushes in full bloom. It adds color to the area under the overpass where children play basketball and men tend to small vegetable gardens.
Gondandia and neighboring Tikini need no introduction. It has already achieved a place in pop culture through Duo Angrec's song “Tikini Gondandia” and is admired by art and culture lovers who flock to major local venues such as Taman Ismail Marzuki and Metropol XXI cinema. Just stick to the main path from Tikini to Gondandia and you'll have plenty of fun.
Please pay attention to the ruins of the abandoned railway line off JL. Tikini Kramat, a relic of the opium trade of the past and a Michael Jackson impersonator on Jl. Pegansaan Barat. If the hustle and bustle is a little too much for you, wander down the quieter side streets dotted with traditional houses, restaurants, and small art galleries like Roh's.
Also read: 5-star staycations for your furry friends
3. Jatinegara, East Jakarta
For most people, Jatinegara is a place you would not think of walking, so it can be a little scary. The vast market area is buzzing with merchants and shoppers, with mats spread with all kinds of items, from classic vases to doves.
Flying down the street is Keleta Kellynch A mother and her children are placed on board (children's train ride) while the city is filled with dangdut explosions.
But the area's sensory overload makes it even more fun to wander around.
Formerly known as Meester Cornelis, Jatinegara was an important Dutch colonial stronghold, with space earmarked for the city's Arab community and large Christian population, and many Dutch-era churches remaining. It is clear from the fact that
Nowadays, Jatinegara is once again attracting attention with local youth and art movements, with many people visiting the market area to head to Consi 8. Consi 8 is a humble creative hub, restaurant and shop that hosts a variety of events and sessions throughout the week.
4. Glodok, West Jakarta
Jakarta's Chinatown, one of the largest in the world, is a maze of alleys filled with traditional shophouses. Genki (Postcolonial Indonesian style) buildings and modern architecture.
Glodok is primarily known for its cuisine and electronics, but it's also packed with many of Jakarta's historical settings, making it perfect for walking. From pre-Batavian coastal settlements, to the creation of Chinese kampungs by the Dutch colonial government in the 1700s, to their current resurgence, it's all on display as you wind your way through the area's streets.
My personal favorite is the small covered walkway between Kota Station and the legendary Panjoran Tea House in Glodok, next to the new MRT development. Along this quiet row of shophouses are extensive murals, trees breaking through dilapidated buildings, men selling mystical rings and caricatures, and small gardens complete with water features and various animals. ..
Some of the things we experience while walking are inexplicable.
Also read: 5 Questions to Ask Megha Iskanti, the Understated Fashion Influencer
5. Tebet, East Jakarta
Rightfully lauded for its revamped Tebet Eco Park, Tebet offers much more to walking than a park that won the 2023 President's Design Award from the Singapore Design Council.
Due to recent developments, wide tree-lined avenues provide pleasant shade to Tebet Station and Jakarta Road. Gatot Subroto has an Eco Park bus stop.
Perhaps the best time to walk around Tebet is early in the evening, when the park is still open and there are only a few joggers, and its iconic bridge is visible above the trees. It casts an atmospheric light. For now, the worst of the commuter traffic has passed and the roads are quiet, allowing us to weave our way through the narrow residential streets of West Tebet.
Here there are green squares between densely packed houses. Equipped with children's badminton courts and jungle gyms, these green spaces give each block a personality and, most importantly, provide a respite for urban strollers.
After no matter how long I spent wandering around, petting the neighborhood cat, or nodding along to a group of lively men playing chess; Posronda (Neighborhood lookout point), At the stalls in front of West Tebet Market, you can praise your steps with a satisfying amount of food. Peselele It was a hit (fried catfish).
Also read: 5 things EV owners need to know before replacing gas and batteryThis article is part of The Weekender, published in Saturday edition. Jakarta Post. We offer a variety of lifestyle and culture articles aimed at enriching your reading experience. For access to Saturday editions and all other premium content, subscribe here. post.