The National Monument
The National Monument, or "Monas" as it is popularly
called, is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of
fierce nationalism. It stands for the people's determination to
achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation
of Independence in August 1945. The 137-metre tall marble obelisk
is topped with a flame coated with 35 kgs. of gold. The base houses
a historical museum and a hall for meditations. The monument is
open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors
to the top which offers a bird's eye view on the city and the sea.
Parliament Building
This strikingly modern building on Jalan Gatot Subroto is the parliament
where at least once in every five years, the People's Consultative
Assembly (the National Congress) holds its sessions. When not in
session, visitors are allowed in but permission must be obtained
in advance.
Satria Mandala Museum
This central museum of the Armed Forces displays exhibits on the
progress in the development of the Indonesian Armed Forces, its
role in the struggle for the nation's independence, and other military
relics. Open daily except Mondays.
Orchid Gardens
Same of the most exotic orchids come from Indonesia. Several commercial
orchid gardens are open to the public, the best known of them is
located at Slipi and Taman Mini.
Condet
This village in southern Jakarta is a protected area where the
old rural life style of Jakarta is preserved. Condet is also famed
for its fruit archards.
Ragunan Zoo
Jakarta's zoo is situated in the suburb of Ragunan in the southern
part of the city. Laid out in a lush tropical setting, such indigenous
animals as the Komodo lizard, tapir, anoa, Java tiger, banteng wild
ox and brightly coloured birds are given ample room to fly freely
in the green foliage.
Open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The zoological garden is
most crowded on Sunday and public holidays.
Central Museum
Established in 1778 by U.M.C. Rademacher under the auspices of
the Batavia Association of Arts and Sciences, it offers historical,
prehistorical, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia
through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which date
as far back as to the Stone Age. It has one of the most complete
collections of bronzes and ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang
and Ming Dynasties. The Museum has one of the finest numismatic
collections in the world, including cloth and money which was used
on several islands until recently. The religious art section is
filled with statuary and sculpture salvaged from sites of Hindu,
Buddhist and Islamic edifices. Its collection of cultural instruments,
household utensils, arts and crafts provide an introduction to the
life of the various ethnic groups which populate Indonesia. This
museum is popularly known as Gedung Gajah or "Elephant Building"
because of the stone elephant offered by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand
in 1871, placed on the pront lawn of the building.
Teater Imax Keong Emas Indonesia in Miniature Park
An extensive park to get a glimpse of the diverseness of the Indonesian
archipelago, it represents Indonesia's 27 provinces and their outstanding
characteristics, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional
architecture of the province. It has its own orchid garden in which
hundreds of Indonesian orchid varieties are grown. There is also
a bird park with a walk-in aviary, a fauna museum and recreational
grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants.
Of special interest here at Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia.
A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses
contemporary arts crafts and traditional costumes from the different
regions of the country. Open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily.
"Teater Imax Keong Emas" (Golden Snail Theatre).
Located in the Taman Mini is the Imax theatre which presents
"Beautiful Indonesia" on a gigantic screen using the latest
Imax system. Open from 11.00 hrs - 17.00 hrs.
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