Sights and sounds of Jakarta

SEE THE SHADOW PUPPETS

Begin your tour of the capital with a visit to Glodok, the largest Chinatown district in the country. Small streets are lined with numerous shops and vendors selling all manner of goods and much of the architecture is still traditional in style. Next visit Sunda Kelapa, the old harbour of Jakarta and one of its most recognisable sights where you see the traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing ships known locally as Pinisi.

Continue to two of Jakarta’s most interesting museums. The Fatahillah Museum was originally built by the Dutch in 1710 as the Jakarta City Hall and today the building displays many antiques, fine ceramics, ancient maps and paintings from the colonial era. Then stop at the Puppet Museum to see an excellent collection of Javanese leather puppets used in Wayang Kulit, the ancient Indonesian art of shadow play.

fr £93pp

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LITTLE WONDERS

For those who want to get a taste of Indonesia’s enormous cultural, geographical and ethnic diversity, a visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah will give you just that. Covering an area of just over one square kilometre, this “miniature Indonesia” features exhibits for each of the nation's 33 provinces with displays of life-sized traditional houses, regional handicrafts and local clothing.

With everything Indonesian including the unique houses of Toraja land, the opportunity to learn about the former cannibal tribes of Papua and even a mini-scale Borobudur, Taman Indonesia Park gives a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Indonesians across the country. This visit gives you a great insight into the country and its peoples.

fr £95pp

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SIGHTS AND SHOPPING

Start with a sightseeing tour of Jakarta, the capital and largest city in Indonesia, stopping at the National Museum with its excellent display of history, archaeology, ethnological and religion related to Indonesia’s colourful past. It is easy to become entranced and even lost in the many rooms here. Close to the museum you will see the huge Indonesian National Monument.

Then visit the National Archives Building before finishing the day with a unique shopping experience in the biggest shopping mall in south-east Asia. The Orchid Garden Mall. has more than 500 speciality shops, many fancy restaurants, 10 exhibition areas and even an indoor ice rink, so there is something for everyone in this seven-storey shoppers’ paradise.

fr £97pp

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GARDENS AND GREAT VIEWS

Around 50 miles south of Jakarta, Bogor is a temperate city known for its Botanical Gardens. They were established in 1811 by Sir Stamford Raffles as the private garden of the Governor-General’s summer residence, and the extensive grounds are home to more than 15,000 species of trees and plants and are also a haven for local birdlife.

Spend time enjoying the estate, from which you can also see the opulent 18th century Presidential Palace. Built as a retreat for the Dutch Governors and later used by the British, the palace has a distinctive architectural style. Then continue to nearby Punak, an attractive spot known for its tea plantations and magnificent mountain vistas. After some time taking in the fresh air and mountain scenery, return to your hotel.

fr £202pp

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MAGIC OF THE MOUNTAINS

Bandung, capital of the province of West Java, has a relatively cool climate. Because of this, Dutch colonial planters made it their retreat from the hot plains and in its heyday the city was known as the “Paris of Java”. Today, it is known as the clothing capital of Indonesia. Visit nearby Cihampelas city, dubbed the Blue Jeans Centre, where you can shop until you drop at the numerous factory outlets.

Next stop is Lembang fruit market, a lively place where you can sample some of the huge variety of tropical fruit grown in this region. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant with great views of the surrounding area then continue to Mount Tangkuban Prahu, a dormant volcano whose summit resembles an upturned boat. Finally drive to nearby Ciater, a small town at the base of the mountain known for its revitalising hot springs.

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