5 Best Sights in Jakarta, Indonesia

A longstanding city landmark, Jalan Surabaya's gaggle of shops and kiosks is Jakarta's place to look for an Elvis Presley LP and a gramophone to play it. Locals and visitors stream here for the mind-boggling variety of knickknacks and tchotchkes, plus art pieces and antiques ranging fabulous to fake; before spending serious money, make certain you know the difference. Jalan Surabaya has something for everyone, so give yourself a few hours to sift through its full half-kilometer (one-third mile) length. Haggling with the good-natured but savvy sellers, starting at a fraction of their asking price, is part of experience. Get your piece at your price? Then bargain for a vintage bag to bring it home.

Surrounded by a grassy park in bustling Central Jakarta, the towering National Monument (Monument Nasional, or Monas) was begun by founding president Sukarno to celebrate Indonesia's independence in 1961 and remains the capital city's signature landmark. Beat the crowds to visit the observation desk nearly 400 feet high for a close up of the gold flame spiraling into the clouds. The National History Museum at the base of the marble-clad obelisk lays political propaganda on thick in its 51 dioramas. The park, officially Lapangan Merdeka (Independence Square), offers a random sociological study of the capital, especially on Sundays when it's packed with fitness warriors and various wandering "therapists" offering traditional massage.

In a city bursting with new malls, the first is still worth a look. The brainchild of Indonesian founding father President Sukarno, Sarinah began doing business in 1962 and was Jakarta's first department store with escalators. But don't visit this state-owned retailer for nostalgia. Centrally located Sarinah specializes in Indonesian products and is the best place in town to shop for souvenirs. Find three floors devoted to the archipelago's handicrafts and textiles, including its famed batik and woven ikat in dark, rich colors. Variety here is second to none and at a range of reasonable prices. Throughout the store, bargains abound on men's and women's fashions, cosmetics, CDs, and perfume, plus anything you forgot you to pack.

Cultural theme park Taman Mini Indonesia brings lifestyles from the nation's far-flung provinces to the southeastern outskirts of Jakarta, where attractions are arranged around a lake. Traditional houses, clothing, handicrafts, and cultural performance are the big draws, along with the IMAX tour of Indonesia (Rp30,000) inside a theater shaped like a giant golden snail. Other attractions, many separately ticketed, include orchid, herb, and 10 other gardens; 14 museums; kiddy and water parks; and indigenous birds and animals, including the Komodo dragon. Officially Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Mini Indonesia Park), everyone calls it Taman Mini. Bring sun (and, as needed, rain) protection, plan to spend the day here, and use the minibus (Rp3,000) to negotiate the vast grounds. It's about an hour by taxi from central Jakarta.

Batik, intricately woven ikat, and gold-threaded songket from the fabric of Indonesian culture are the star subjects of the Textile Museum (Museum Tekstil), which showcases vintage and modern fabric creations from across the nation inside an elegant 19th-century mansion. Beware that cab drivers often miss the entrance amid the colorful flea market lining the street. The museum's extensive collection, which could stand upgraded maintenance and displays, includes a wide selection of batik, an Indonesian innovation that's now renowned globally. Draw inspiration from the collection to create your own batik. Museum staff guide you through the process, including design, waxing, dyeing, boiling (the cloth, not you), and drying, so you can wear your creation proudly.