Jakarta

Jakarta is one of Southeast Asia’s most electrifying cities — a massive, buzzing metropolis where ancient traditions and modern skyscrapers exist side by side. Millions of people pack its streets, markets, and neighbourhoods, creating an energy that is impossible to ignore. Whether you are breathing in the smoky aromas of street food stalls or hearing the call to prayer echo across the city, Jakarta never lets you forget you are somewhere truly special.

At its heart stands the golden-tipped National Monument, shooting proudly into the sky as a symbol of Indonesia’s hard-won independence. Nearby, the magnificent Istiqlal Mosque welcomes worshippers in numbers that would fill a packed stadium. Head to the old district of Kota Tua and you can wander past beautiful colonial buildings that whisper stories of Jakarta’s days as a famous trading port centuries ago.

Here is the most surprising thing about this incredible city — it is actually sinking into the ground, little by little, every single year. Jakarta truly is a city unlike any other!