Kota Tua Jakarta brings Batavia’s colonial past to life in West Jakarta City: during the Dutch colonial period, the district was the former seat of government and a trading center. Its historic buildings date from the 17th century to the early 20th century. Kota Tua is located in Kelurahan Pinangsia, Kecamatan Taman Sari, Jakarta Barat; within the broader Jakarta destination, the historic area also extends into parts of North Jakarta.
Discover history and museums
At the Museum Sejarah Jakarta, Jakarta’s history unfolds from prehistoric times through the port of Sunda Kelapa and the colonial period to the post-independence era. The museum is housed in the former Stadhuis van Batavia, built as a town hall between 1707 and 1712. Its collection includes 23,500 historical objects, including originals and replicas. Its broad historical scope makes the museum a notable place to start if you want to understand the city’s different eras.
Other museums have their own distinct focus. The Museum Wayang houses various types of Indonesian wayang, as well as puppets from other countries, gamelan sets and wayang paintings. The Museum Tekstil focuses on batik fabrics, woven textiles, textile equipment and mixed textile collections. The Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik displays paintings, sculptures, prints and ceramics from Indonesia and other countries. Puppet theatre, textile arts and visual arts thus offer different ways to explore the culture.
The museums dedicated to the history of money and banking also tell their stories in different ways. The Museum Bank Indonesia explores the development of Indonesia’s monetary system through dioramas, currency collections, archives and interactive multimedia exhibits. It is housed in the former building of De Javasche Bank, the central bank of the Dutch East Indies, founded in 1828. The Museum Bank Mandiri focuses on banking history and preserves items including calculating machines, safes, documents and original bank counter interiors. Its former main building was constructed in 1929 as the headquarters of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij.
At some buildings, the architecture is just as worth a look as the history. Gedung Chandra Naya, at Jalan Gajah Mada No. 188, is a Chinese-style building with a roof structure called Tou-Kung. Khouw Tian Sek had it built in 1807. Toko Merah is a colonial building constructed around 1730 and was once the residence of VOC Governor-General Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff.
Glodok, activities and more to explore
Glodok is considered Jakarta Barat’s Chinatown and is known for its street food. The Kelenteng Kim Tek Le in Glodok is more than three centuries old. Together, the district, its food culture and the historic temple give a visit a different focus from the history of museums and banking. You can explore each detail independently, rather than following a single narrative about West Jakarta City.
If you’d like to spend some time outdoors, Hutan Kota Srengseng is a protected area for flora and fauna that also serves as a public recreation area. A 1.7-kilometer jogging path adds to the natural setting. As facilities may change, check the path’s current condition before your visit.
For a different kind of discovery, there’s Jakarta Aquarium & Safari, where visitors can discover more than 3,500 species; the number may change. Close encounters with animals are supervised by experienced animal keepers. Taman Fatahillah, meanwhile, is used for art performances, cultural festivals, community activities and photography; the specific program may vary.
Getting around and finding accommodation
Kota Tua is near Stasiun Jakarta Kota station and can be reached by KRL Commuter Line, TransJakarta and, with connecting services, the MRT. Following its revitalization, the area is considered pedestrian-friendly. As transport connections and operations may change, check current services for your journey.
Explore more destinations: West Jakarta, Central Jakarta City, North Jakarta City.
View the broader travel overview: Jakarta.
