10 Places For Shopping In Jakarta That Will Give You A Shopaholic’s High!
Jakarta is the epitome of a bustling Asian metropolis, with more than 10 million people calling it home. It is also the capital city of Indonesia and the first port of call on any Indonesian holiday. Beyond exploring the old city of Jakarta and the modern attractions of the glitzy and grimy city, Jakarta is an awesome destination for shopping. With more than 150 shopping malls and markets, tourists have a wide variety to choose where to do their shopping in Jakarta.
Jakarta is a great contributor to Indonesian tourism. But we have you covered, we have listed our favourite spots for both retail and wholesale shopping in Jakarta from where you can get your travel souvenirs and also indulge in personal shopping.
Far from the glitzy shopping malls is a quaint corner filled with beautiful art, the art market of Pasar Seni Ancol. The Pasar Seni is a market space allocated to artists and artisans of all kinds of crafts. You can find traditional woodwork, canvas paintings, beadwork or even puppet work here at the art market. It is the best place for shopping in Jakarta for interior decoration and art and not be missed while in the city.
The Pasar Baru is one of the oldest Jakarta Shopping markets and has been around since 1820! The shopping complex is today filled with Indonesian, Chinese and Indian shops selling a variety of stuff from clothing to street food. It’s a great place to indulge in people-watching and understand the local culture of Jakarta. You can find almost anything you need here, but you need to be a great bargain-hunter else you can be taken for a ride!
Must Read: 7 Best Things To Do In Jakarta: The Indonesia Capital Buzzing With Life!
Glodok is the Chinatown of Jakarta, and you will feel like you are in a Chinese province as soon as you step into the Glodok district. The area is one of the best places for street shopping in Jakarta, and one can buy a variety of products from Chinese medicine to cheap electronics. It’s a unique traveller experience to visit a Chinese store and just look at the interesting medicines including roots and insects! Don’t forget to get there early to sample Chinese cuisine like noodles and dumplings.
The Pasar Santa or Santa Modern Market is a hip new place that is attracting the new generation of Jakarta. Fashioned after the international marketplace model, the shopping market has become a hub of culinary delights and unique businesses like accessories shops, t-shirts, vinyl records etc. The Pasar Santa has added to the Bohemian element to shopping in Jakarta City! The best time to spend in the market is on weekend afternoons when the market comes alive with people.
The Tanah Abang Pasar is one of the biggest textile markets in all of South Asia and has the most extensive collection of textiles and clothing in Jakarta. The market is air-conditioned with thousands of small shops offering clothing from traditional fabrics to cheap brand knock-offs. Locals throng the market for cheap shopping in Jakarta, and it especially gets more crowded during the weekends and holidays. With the market spread across three big blocks, make sure you don’t get lost in a maze of fantastic deals.
Women of all ages in Jakarta swear by the shopping experience at Blok M! The M Block is a shopping district with the main attractions – Blok M Square and Blok M Plaza. These two shopping arenas have shops that sell everything from watches to shoes but it is especially a great place for cheap clothes shopping in Jakarta. It is best to save up and finish all your annual shopping here!
Thamrin City Trade Mall is one of the premium shopping destinations on the Tanah Abang Jakarta shopping route. The locals fondly call it ‘Thamcit’ and it is best known for its retail clothing stores, which have a variety of local and international brands. The clothes shopping area has four main zones and the most interesting amongst them are the Batik and Handloom zones which offer unique Indonesian textiles and prints. The food court is extensive plus there is an excellent dining restaurant Thamrin Terrace that serves terrific local delicacies.
Location: Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur, Kebon Melati, Tanah Abang, Kb.
The Grand Indonesia Mall is hands down the best shopping mall in Jakarta. The mall is spread across to huge buildings and has every kind of store possible. There is also an extensive entertainment arena with movie theatres, just like in major cities around the world. It also has an exclusive tourist privilege card that allows travelers to get additional discounts in the stores. A truly ‘grand’ shopping complex, the mall is an ideal place for relaxation and for some retail therapy.
If you are looking for cheap branded clothes shopping in Jakarta factory outlet, then stop by the Rempoa Factory Outlet in Bintaro. The spacious area is filled with racks and rows of good quality and affordable clothing. With a particular focus on plus-sizes and men’s wear, the outlet is popular with locals. Their selection of swimwear is usually what brings the tourists to the outlet, make sure you check the clothes once before buying and be sure what you paid for.
The Jalan Surabaya Flea Market is a treat for those who love picking up quirky souvenirs and trinkets from their travels abroad. One of the best areas for shopping in Jakarta City, the flea market has almost 200 shops selling anything from Javanese puppets, Batik to salvaged treasure from sunken ships! But like all bazaars around the world, you have to be careful with getting the best rate while flea market shopping in Jakarta.
Excited at the prospect of shopping in Jakarta? Ensure you have a few hours in the city on your next holiday in Indonesia just to indulge in shopping.