Things To Do in Jakarta

One of the world's most populous cities, Jakarta pulses with life, color and humanity. You can easily experience the depth and breadth of Jakarta without ever stepping foot in one of the city's (beloved) shopping malls. Jakarta's history comes alive in the cobblestoned streets of Old Batavia and on the narrow wood planks of old schooners. Wherever you go, the pride Indonesians feel in their history, their culture and their independence is palpable -- nowhere more so than when strolling the grounds of the National Monument (Monas).

You'll find the two ends of the shopping spectrum in Jakarta, from fancy-schmancy air-conditioned malls selling high-end clothing (at prices on par with other major cities of the world) to no-frills markets, known locally as pasars, where you can pick up Indonesian handicrafts -- from Javanese puppets to batik -- cheap T-shirts, fabrics and other stuff from rows of tiny shops in cramped malls like Tanah Abang, Pasar Pagi, and the Trade Center Mangga Dua. Definitely bargain or you'll fork over many times what the fair price should be.

You may not expect it in a predominantly Muslim country, but Jakarta has a serious party scene, from sleek wine bars in five-star hotels to sports bars, expat pubs in Blok M, arty haunts in the Kemang district, and seedy bars in Kota in North Jakarta, where prostitues (ayam) prowl and drugs are plentiful. In general, it's advisable for women travelers to only go out at night in groups, lest you be mistaken for a working girl. To get the lowdown on the nightlife scene, surf www.jakarta100bars.com.