A Weekend Walk from Lapangan Banteng to Pasar Baroe

in Weekend Experiences5 months ago

On one of those lazy afternoons I decided to take a walk. Walking around Jakarta in the afternoon might not seem like a great idea—it’s hot, sunny, and humid—but I needed a little workout.

My destination was Lapangan Banteng. I remember Lapangan Banteng when it was just a big, dusty field. Now it’s got well-kept lawns, pathways that don’t trip you up, and even a decent amount of shade, which I was very thankful for. The Irian Jaya Liberation Monument was standing tall, as usual, watching over everyone doing their afternoon routines. Some were jogging, others were stretching, and a few old-timers were doing Tai Chi.



I spent a few hours there. Then I got bored and hungry, so I decided to start walking towards Pasar Baru. The sun was still blazing, but at least it wasn’t trying to melt me. Walking in Jakarta is a bit of an adventure. You’ve got to dodge motorbikes, jump over potholes, and keep an eye out for random street vendors. But that’s what makes it fun, right?

As I made my way down Jalan Pos, I passed by a mix of old and new buildings. One moment you’re looking at some colonial-era building that’s seen better days, and the next you’re staring at a shiny glass structure that looks so modern.

Continuing my walk, I couldn’t help but notice the grand Jakarta Cathedral and the imposing Istiqlal Mosque standing proudly across from each other. These two landmarks are like old friends from different worlds, coexisting peacefully right in the heart of the city. The Cathedral, with its neo-gothic architecture and tall spires, looks like something straight out of Europe. On the other hand, Istiqlal, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, is all about modern grandeur. “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” Indonesians would call it, citing the old Sanskrit phrase, roughly translated as "Unity in Diversity."


I kept on walking and soon found myself in front of Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ). This place holds a lot of memories for me. Back when I used to work at a cultural center, GKJ was my go-to spot. I’ve seen and helped create all kinds of performances there—from circus acts to orchestras, and even some modern dance pieces that I still don’t quite understand. The building itself is a piece of art, with its old Dutch architecture giving it a classy vibe. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about all the late nights spent rehearsing and the rush of excitement right before a show.

One building that really caught my eye was the old Gedung Filateli, which has now turned into Pos Bloc. Back in the day, this place was just a quiet post office where people sent letters (remember those?), but now it’s buzzing with life. Pos Bloc is like a little creative hub with cafes, shops, and art spaces. I popped in for a quick look, and it was pretty cool. People were chilling with their coffee, some were working on their laptops, and others were browsing through quirky little shops.

Just before reaching Pasar Baru, I passed by the Adipura Monument, a lesser-known spot that commemorates Jakarta’s environmental achievements. It’s one of those things you might walk past a hundred times without really noticing, but today, it caught my eye. Maybe it was the way the late afternoon sun was hitting it, or maybe I was just in a more reflective mood. Either way, it was a nice little reminder that Jakarta is always striving to improve, even if it’s in small ways.

By the time I reached Pasar Baru, it was in full swing, with people everywhere—families out shopping, tourists looking lost, and locals haggling over prices. The smell of street food hit me, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a quick snack. I went for some gado-gado from a street vendor. It was the perfect mix of crunchy vegetables, soft tofu, and peanut sauce that was so good I almost went back for seconds.

Pasar Baru is one of those places that never really changes. It’s chaotic, loud, and full of life. I wandered through the market, checking out the stalls. One guy was selling old vinyl records, and I spent a few minutes flipping through them, finding some gems from the 70s and 80s. It’s like time stood still in this little corner of Jakarta.

The city was beginning to cool down. I crossed over the pedestrian bridge and from there, I caught sight of Gedung Kesenian Jakarta again. Seeing it from above, with the lights just starting to flicker on, brought back even more memories. This building holds so much history, not just for the city but for me personally.


Walking from Lapangan Banteng to Pasar Baru might not seem like much, but it was a great way to reconnect with the city. Sometimes, all it takes is a walk to remind you of all the little things that make this place home. The bonus part: you might even get a workout in while you’re at it.

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Lap benteng bagus tapi belom sempet ke sana 🤣

Recommended kalau sore-sore dan bosen sama area senayan yang kelewat padet

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