The focal point of the city, Monas square is home to the national monument, a 132-m obelisk with a small historical museum at its base. Garden birds such as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Bar-winged Prinia and Olive-backed Sunbird can be seen in the surrounding parkland, and impressive numbers of White-bellied Swiftlets coming in to roost circle round the monument at dusk.
Getting there
On foot Monas is in the city centre close to Gambir railway station; ask for directions.
By Bus PPD 70, PPD 12 or P1 from Blok M towards Kota. Get off at Monas.
General informationVery popular with Jakartans, so best avoided on Sundays and public holidays. Elevator to the top costs IDR 2,000; museum entrance IDR 500. open every day 8.00 am-5.00 pm