The dancing fountain
Lights and music.
Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0
A historic square in central Jakarta dating from the Dutch era, fully renovated in 2018 into one of the city's loveliest public parks, with broad terraces, tree-lined paths and sports areas, centred on the West Irian Liberation Monument, a bronze statue of a man breaking his chains. Its highlight is the evening dancing fountain show with lights and music, which draws families at weekends. The park adjoins Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia's largest, and the cathedral facing it, a scene symbolising religious tolerance. The park is free and open, and the fountain show runs at set evening times, usually at weekends. Pray Maghrib at Istiqlal, then walk to the park for the fountain show. It is an ideal family evening out in the city centre.
Lights and music.
A man breaking chains.
Maghrib, then a stroll.
Central Jakarta, near Istiqlal Mosque
Istiqlal MosqueThe largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the national mosque of Indonesia, the w6 minutes walk
National Gallery of IndonesiaIndonesia's national museum of modern art, in a white colonial building with cla11 minutes walk
Monas (National Monument)Jakarta's best-known symbol: a white marble obelisk one hundred and thirty-two m13 minutes walk
National Museum of Indonesia (Elephant Museum)Indonesia's oldest and most comprehensive museum, and one of the finest in South20 minutes walkUsually Saturday and Sunday evenings at set times, though the schedule can change. Ask locally or check the city's official accounts.