When it comes to shopping, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this booming metropolis that’s full of rustic village markets, mid-sized neighbourhood malls and luxe shopping centers. Always popular, especially with visitors, are the unique local handmade handicrafts which are abundant in designated enclaves and streets. Pasar Seni is an arts and crafts market within Taman Ria Ancol where you can find lots of interesting gifts and there is even an outdoor stage with live music.
Meanwhile, Pasar Cikini is a longstanding lively market on Jalan Raya Cikini in the Menteng area where you can take your pick from a host of gold bangles, rings and other accessories. And Pasar Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta is a massive wholesale market that has 19 floors of fashion apparel, furniture and food for bulk sales.
Fancy buying local art? From retail fashion to art appreciation, curious visitors and art connoisseurs should head for CG Art Space (Jl. MH Thamrin. 3rd floor, #E16, 310 7201) for contemporary Indonesian artwork, something they also do well at ARK Galerie (Jl. Senopati Raya, No. 92, 725 4934). Elsewhere, Duta Fine Arts Gallery is a stunning building (Jl. Kemang Utara, No. 55A, 799 0226) that houses an impressive list of artworks within. Additionally, younger art interpretations and new movements in the international art scene have given rise to creative platforms like ARTsphere (Jl. Darmawangsa VI & IX, 2nd floor, No. 16, 7278-6661; Mutiara Kedoya Estates, Blok A1, Jl. Puri Kembangan, 580-1212; Jl. Panglima Polim V, No.38, 723-0413).
