Jakarta , popularly known as Jak City or J-Town, is a busy, hot, and sometimes chaotic city, certainly for non-Jakartans. With over 30 million inhabitants from all over the country seeking their fortune, it is safe to call it a dynamic metropolis. In the center of the city, on Merdeka Square , stands the Monas (National Monument) with its gold-leaf spire. The square was formerly the place from which the Dutch ruled, but ironically, it now stands as a symbol of Indonesia's freedom and the strong economic growth of the last few decades.

The city does not have nightlife centers like most European cities, yet there is still plenty of fun to be had. On the coast, for example, you will find Ancol , or the many restaurants, eateries, and bars in the Menteng , Kuningan , Setiabudi , and Permata Hijau districts, where many expats also reside. Take a becak (bicycle taxi) in the city's smaller kampongs (neighborhoods). Visit the old port Sunda Kelapa , or go shopping in the famous Blok M district.

Most sights in Jakarta are associated with a long history. Taman Fatahillah Square is located in Old Batavia (with the famous Café Batavia ), and this square also once served as the administrative center of the city. Housed in old colonial buildings, three different museums can be found on the square. Pay a visit to the Museum Sejarah Jakarta , one of these three museums, and learn all about Jakarta's rich history. There is also a Portuguese cannon on Taman Fatahillah, and a fountain adorns the center of the square.