Jakarta City Tour for cruise ship passengers docking at Tanjung Priok Jakarta Port

Jakarta is a study in contrasts: traditional and modern, rich and poor, spiritual and worldly all standing side by side in a bustling metropolis. The nation's capital has a remarkable history, beginning in the year 157, when it was named Jayakarta. As a small harbour town called Sunda Kelapa it served as the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was called Batavia. When Indonesian independence was finally secured the city was renamed Jakarta.

Sunda Kelapa, also known as Pasar ikan (Fish Market), is in the north of the city at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. This is where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century and where Dutch domination of Indonesia began. Sunda Kelapa is now a busy inter-island port. Tall masted Bugis schooners from South Sulawesi, part of the world's oldest commercial sailing fleet, are one of the finest sights Jakarta has to offer.

The National Monument, (Monas), is one of the many monuments built during the years directly after independence. The one hundred and thirty seven metre tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with thirty five kilograms of gold, and represents the people's determination to achieve freedom. It towers over Merdeka (Freedom) Square, and serves as Jakarta's most prominent landmark.

National Museum offers historical, prehistoric, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics. It has one of the most complete collections in the country of bronzes and ceramics dating back lo the Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties. The museum's collection of cultural instruments, household utensils, arts and crafts provide a good introduction to the life of Indonesia's various ethnic groups.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in the east of the city gives visitors a glimpse of the diversity of the Indonesian archipelago in a single location. This extensive park houses exhibits from all of Indonesia's provinces. It has its own orchid garden, bird park with a walk-in aviary, Imax theatre, a fauna museum and recreational grounds. Of special interest is the Museum Indonesia, housing contemporary arts crafts and traditional costumes from around the country.

Borobudur Adventure the Indonesia Tour Operator and Travel service offer the ground handling service One day Jakarta City tour to visit the points of interest in Jakarta with itinerary as followed:

Driving through the bustling city, pass Merdeka Square, National Monument, Presidential Palace and visit National Museum (close on Monday), then visit Sunda Kelapa Harbor. Proceed to Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park. In the park visit several pavilions illustrating the multifaceted Indonesia culture, also visit museum of Indonesia to see what is, perhaps, the best displayed collection of Indonesian artifacts and handicrafts of the country, including 35 mannequin couples dressed in local wedding costumes.