Location Guide: Jakarta

Don’t be afraid of the heat. Embrace the humidity. Formula E has returned to Jakarta, and Maserati MSG Racing is ready to contest the most physically demanding race of Season 9.

Indonesia’s entry onto motor racing’s world stage left quite the impression last year. The action on track doing justice to the host nation’s capital city.

It was frenetic, and almost out of control, but a calm approach yielded the best results on track, and an adventurous spirit will reward anyone who decides to visit Jakarta.

Beneath the city’s surface-level intense state of energy lies a unique charm, and it’s the warmth and pride with which people carry themselves that make Jakarta truly unique.

Merdeka Square is its beating heart, and beautifully illustrates the story of Indonesia. This is the natural place to start your journey.

Walk around the one-kilometre squared park, take the time to watch daily life pass by, and be sure to look up to see the National Monument, which commemorates Indonesia’s fight for independence.

Some of Jakarta’s most significant sites are in this area too. The National Gallery showcases some of the finest examples of Indonesian artwork, while the National Museum presents some of the country’s greatest national treasures.

Nearby is Jakarta Cathedral, which was built in a strong-cut neo-gothic style. It’s beautiful twin spires have a habit of artfully capturing light to truly illuminate the city as the sun fades in the evening.

Opposite is the Istiqlal Mosque – the largest mosque in south-east Asia – which contrasts the cathedral with its modernist design of marble and stainless steel. It serves as just one example of Jakarta’s juxtaposed nature.

Beyond Merdeka Square is the old town and the rich culture of Fatahillah Square. This is Jakarta’s hidden gem and serves up some of the finest heritage around.

A first glance at Jakarta’s old city hall, which was built in 1707, is just a slice of what’s on offer, and inside awaits an afternoon of exploration as you discover the Jakarta History Museum, which paints an insightful picture into the city’s colonial past.

Jakarta was previously the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as Batavia for 300 years and only gained its current name in 1945. Now, it is a living, breathing metropolis, and the door to Indonesia.

Before you head out of the old town, check out the Wayanng Museum and take the time to visit Café Batavia for some of the best coffee around.

Café Batavia sits in the former offices of the Dutch East India company and rests in the memories of the city’s colonial era, yet an ambient, friendly environment pierces through its vintage feel, just as it has done for the past 30 years.

Since Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands, a true taste of the country isn’t complete without a visit to one of them. That’s why the Pulai Seribu National Park should be your next stop.

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Try to plan a boat ride here to experience true tranquillity, and on the way, be sure to see some of Jakarta’s schooners and the maritime scene in the Sunda Kelapa port.

The Pulai Seribu National Park is a collection of 110 islands, dotted across the Java Sea, covered in thick forest area, outlined by the cleanest beaches, and surrounded by fantastical marine life.

If visiting to experience Formula E, your trip to the Pulao Seribu National Park will very much be the calm before the storm, as the field embarks an intense double-header weekend.

While it can be very tempting to blend in with Jakarta’s fast-paced way of life, don’t. Be free, be independent, and explore it at your own pace. Explore it properly.

Where there is action, there can be calm. Where there are people, there can be tranquillity. But adventure awaits around every single corner. That’s for certain.