Jakarta

Affectionately nicknamed the “Big Durian,” Jakarta is Indonesia’s high-powered capital and the engine driving all things economic, political, and cultural.

There’s nothing subtle about this extraordinary urban jungle, the largest city in Southeast Asia with a population of 30 million and counting. From its interminable traffic to seemingly endless concrete canyons, at first blush Jakarta can at times leave a less than flattering first impression on first-time visitors.

However, make no mistake: this is a dynamic city full of possibility. To the surprise of some, Jakartans are a rather progressive, laid-back bunch looking to their great city’s future with unbridled optimism. The food, nightlife, and shopping scenes compare favourably to any in the region. And in West Jakarta, visitors can explore vestiges of the city’s Dutch colonial past in Kota Tua and, in Glodok, one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world.

First impressions, indeed, aren’t everything, especially in Jakarta.