Did you know that Jakarta has more than 170 malls? They’re a common sight in Indonesia’s capital, which isn’t so surprising considering that it’s one of the most populous cities in the world. That’s why it can be quite a challenge to find the best places to shop in Jakarta, especially for tourists. If you need help, here are some of the best malls and shopping centers in Jakarta for value shopping and unique items.
Grand Indonesia Shopping Town
The Grand Indonesia Shopping Town or the Grand Indonesia Mall is considered one of the best, if not the best mall in Jakarta. It has two wings both with eight floors, housing almost every kind of store and a wide variety of local and international brands. There are also sections of the mall that serve as tourist attractions in and of themselves, like the Crossroads of the World where the top floors converge. There’s also a fountain at the centre of the complex, which lights up every hour for a colourful show. Meanwhile, children will enjoy the play land and game arcade. You can conclude your productive shopping trip by watching a movie at the Blitzmegaplex, Indonesia’s largest cinema.
ITC Cempaka Mas
For something a little different, try shopping at ITC Cempaka Mas. Locals flock to this wholesale shopping center, with five floors and about 6,000 kiosks that sell a variety of goods. From clothing and accessories to electronics, you can find everything you need at lower prices at ITC Cempaka Mas. Haggling is also welcome here, so you can get further reductions on already-discounted goods. Note that you may need to learn a few key phrases in Bahasa Indonesia to make the best bargains.
Thamrin City Trade Mall
If you’re looking for authentic batik, go to Thamrin City Trade Mall in the Tanah Abang Market. Called “Thamcit” by the locals, Thamrin City Trade Mall has a zone dedicated to batik and handlooms where you can buy genuine traditional Indonesian textiles. You can also find a lot of retail clothing brands here, as well as a food court for all your Indonesian food cravings.
Pasar Baru
Also called Little India because of the large Indian-Indonesian settlement in the area, Pasar Baru is one of the oldest markets in Jakarta, although its name ironically means “new market.” It’s been around since 1820 and has since evolved into a multi-cultural shopping haven featuring Indonesian, Indian, and Chinese shops. You can shop for high-quality textiles at Pasar Baru Market, as well as clothes, jewellery, and shoes. Meanwhile, the shopping centre on the north side of the area is mostly dedicated to cameras, photography products and accessories, and cosmetics.
Cikini Gold Centre
If you’re looking to buy a variety of gold products at the best prices, you can visit Cikini Gold Centre in Menteng. The third floor of the mall is dedicated to gold and jewellery. There’s also a gemstone market, as well as a variety of fashion boutiques. Some people also visit Cikini Gold Centre to have their gold products weighed and sold. Make sure to orient yourself about the current prices of gold if you want something for investments. If you’re simply looking for jewellery like earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings, then what you need is patience since there are literally thousands of designs to choose from.
Pasaraya
Pasaraya was first established in 1974 as a local arts and crafts centre. It was initially called Sarinah Jaya, and then slowly expanded and evolved into a department store that now specialises in souvenirs and handicrafts. Pasaraya is an excellent source for batiks, fashion items, authentic Indonesian handicrafts, foodstuffs, and various consumer goods.
Jalan Surabaya Flea Market
Jalan Surabaya is actually just a street that’s only about 500 metres long. Nonetheless, it built a solid reputation among locals as a flea market for arts and antiques. The different kiosks carry quirky and hard-to-find items like brass lanterns, old-style lamps, wood carvings, stamp collections, used books, and even traditional kris daggers. Much like other flea markets, haggling is welcome in Jalan Surabaya. Just be patient since not many locals speak foreign languages.
Jakarta is Indonesia’s economic center, so it’s only logical to find abundant shopping opportunities in the city. Try these shopping locations, and see for yourself how much you can buy and how many unique items you can find.
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