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Jakpost guide to Jl. Cikini Raya
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The Jakarta Post strolls along Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta, which hosts buildings from the early days. (JP/Masajeng Rahmiasri)
T
he Jakarta Post strolls along Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta, which is graced by buildings from the early days of Indonesia. The landmarks include the art deco-styled post office and the legendary Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center.
Getting there
Take any Transjakarta bus going to the National Monument (Monas), then take the Harmoni-Pulo Gadung route and disembark at Senen. Transfer to the Senen Sentral shelter and take the Lebak Bulus-Senen feeder bus to the Taman Ismail Marzuki bus stop. The journey costs Rp 3,500 (US 26 cents).
While taking the Transjakarta bus usually takes longer, a faster option would be a taxi or online-based transportation. Another public transportation option is the commuter train to Cikini Station. Train ticket fares depend on the distance from departure station to Cikini Station, although the standard train fare is Rp 3,000.
(Read also: Jakpost guide to Blok M Square)
What to wear
Comfortable shoes and bright shirts are advised, especially if you’re keen on exploring Cikini on foot. Hats and umbrellas come in handy in case it rains.
What to see
The journey in Cikini Raya starts from the iconic art deco-styled post office. Once known as the Tjikini Post Kantoor the building was built during Dutch occupation and is still utilized for postal services.
Next to the post office, you can find several cafes or restaurants. Need to catch up on work? Walk farther to Ke:Kini a co-working space.
The area in front of the shops is adorned with the colorful "Indonesia-Korea friendship mural." This was a result of collaboration between the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), the National University (UNAS), the Jakarta administration and the Korean Association in Indonesia.
An abandoned building just before Holland Bakery has its own history. It was previously occupied by the legendary Tan Ek Tjoan bakery, established in 1921. KBR news agency reported that the bread factory moved to Ciputat, Tangerang, in 2015 due to a government restriction on factories operating the middle of the city.
(Read also: Four Jakarta hotels for a weekend staycation)
Not far from it, you will find Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), a culture complex established in 1968 that houses several performing arts theaters.
The first one is Graha Bhakti Budaya (GBB), which can accommodate up to 800 people. The theater has hosted a number of notable performances, such as Opera Kecoa, and will soon present the musical West Side Story.
The second theater is Teater Jakarta, the newer and larger theater in the TIM complex that houses two theaters, with the smaller one able to accommodate 300 people and a larger one that can host 1,200 people.
The TIM complex is also home to Kineforum, a 45-person capacity theater run by the Jakarta Arts Council. Within the complex there are also educational institutions such as the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), the HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center and the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory.
Next to TIM and a budget hotel is the Cikini public swimming pool that is utilized by both the public and athletes. The pool operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays or from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Entrance costs Rp 40,000 from Monday to Thursday and Rp 50,000 from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays. The pool is closed every Friday from 11 a.m. to1 p.m.
Next to the hotel, you can find the SMPN 1 state junior high school, which was established in the early 1900s and is classified as a cultural heritage asset. According to the Education and Culture Ministry, the school was built as for Ethical Policy implementation by the Dutch administration.
Across from SMPN 1 is an office complex, home to Ibu Dibjo Ticket Box’s office, the first ticketing box in Indonesia, dating back to 1963. In the online-booking era, it still operates as a ticket point of sales for various events, such as the upcoming We The Fest 2017, Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams Tour in Bangkok and the northern lights viewing tour to Iceland.
(Read also: When comfort is not enough: Five luxurious transportation modes to try)
Another legendary school farther down from Ibu Dibjo’s office is the Yayasan Perguruan Cikini or Cikini School Foundation (Percik), which was the school of choice of president Sukarno for his children.
What to eat
Enjoy fine coffee at Bakoel Koffie, a coffee roaster that dates back to 1878. Sip purist coffee made of heritage, black mist, brown cow or seasonal single origin coffee beans. Prices start at Rp 22,000.
In the TIM complex you can find Jakarta’s famed Soto Betawi H. Ma’ruf, which has been serving soto Betawi since the 1960s. Enjoy its signature Soto Betawi for Rp 38,000 per portion.
What to buy
Art enthusiasts can find abundant art supplies at Artland shop, located on the third floor of Menteng Huis, a small mall located across from Bakoel Koffie.
If old, rare and used books are your thing, check out Galeri Buku Bengkel Deklamasi at the Graha Bhakti Budaya building in the TIM complex. The secondhand books store was established in 1996, and run Jose Rizal Manua, a renowned Indonesian artist and lecturer at the IKJ. Many collectible items can be found here, including books that are no longer reprinted. Prices range from Rp 2,000 to Rp 5 million.
Leather goods owners may be familiar with Laba-Laba, a leather goods repair shop near SMPN 1, which was established in 1898 under original name “De Spin”. The cost for a shoe heel repair starts from Rp 70,000. The store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. (asw)
