Glodok, also known as Pecinan or Chinatown since the Dutch colonial era, is the largest Chinese community in Indonesia. The word Glodok came from the Sundanese word “Golodog”, meaning entrance to a house, as nearby Sunda Kelapa was the gateway to the ancient Sundanese Kingdom. It was also thought that the name came from the “grojok-grojok” sound that water makes coming out of a waterspout in the yard of the city hall (Stadhuis), now the Jakarta Museum. It is a vibrant, colourful and historic area which is usually busy, but especially during Chinese New Year celebrations in mid February where you can buy “Kue Keranjang” (Basket Cakes) – a Chinese-Indonesia (peranakan) traditional cake made from rice powder and sugar. There are many small restaurants in Glodok area, including in the nearby Lindeteves Mall.

Two Budhist temples are located in Glodok. Vihara Tanda Bhakti (or Jin de Yuan) temple was built in 1650. The temple’s prominent colors of red and gold lend to its majestic appearance. Filled with incense and candles, it is the key destination for Chinese during New Year or Imlek, to come and pray and make offerings. The giant candles that you see at the entrance can burn up to six months and can weigh up to 300 kg. They’re made locally in North Jakarta. The come in two colours: red for celebrations and festivals, white for funerals. The other temple, Vihara Dharma Jaya, also painted bright red with two fierce dragon serpents upon its roof. Beautiful birds rest on each corner of the roof, while a lotus flower crowns the temple at its peak. In this temple’s main hall, red lanterns hang from the ceiling and small candles neatly line the areas of worship.

Do not miss to visit the Church of St. Maria de Fatima. With an oriental style of architecture, this church was once the residence of the Captain of the Chinese in Batavia..