Queen of the East (Old Batavia) Walking Tour
Description
For those who are curious about the Old Batavia (Kota Tua/Old Jakarta), don’t miss the opportunity to exploring and listening to stories and history that attached to this area which was called “The Queen of the East” in its heyday. Accompanied by a professional guide, we will explore the old fame of “Kota Tua” which was used as the basis for the VOC (Dutch East India Company) Headquarter in Asia. Afterwards, we will stroll down to the remaining old city walls of Batavia and also the warehouses that used to store the spices and the logistics for the company. Passing through the oldest wooden drawbridge in Batavia and many more places. In about 3 hours, we will walk through the footpath of VOC era. While also exercising by walking, we will learn more about the importance of Batavia (now : Jakarta) during the Dutch Colonial era. Do not forget to take pictures of the iconic spots.Looking forward to meet you there, Fellow Travelers!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide here and visiting the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company) spices warehouse which is known as Museum Bahari Enjoying the iconic panorama of Sunda Kelapa Harbour from above of the Controller Tower (Menara Syahbandar).
Exploring the remaining of the Batavia’s old city wall that is still exists near the Eastern Warehouse.
Passing through the nearly 400 years old Kota Intan Drawbridge
Walking through the Dutch Colonial urban planning & architectures during the 17th – 18th centuries in the Old Batavia. See the Old Governor General's mansion known as Toko Merah
Witnessing the grand Fatahilah Museum that collect a lot of antiques from 17th-19th centuries and visit underground dungeon.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring umbrella, in case of raining especially during rainiy season (October – April)
- Minimum and Maximum Pax : 1-15 Pax
- Please prepare to wear comfortable clothes & shoes(Jakarta’s weather is all-time warm and humid)
- This tour is not recommended/suitable for wheelchair and baby strollers
- The tour is free for infant (0-3 years).
- Adult and children (3-12 years old) share the same fare
- Children must be accompanied by adult
- There is no tour on Monday, because all museum are closed
- The tour will still run either sunny or rainy conditions.
- Length of walking : 4-4,5 km
Reviews(7)
With a walk through the old harbour and a visit to the maritime museum, a visit to the old center with its classical dutch style town hall (now also a museum)this trip is a very interesting insight into the history of this centuries old town. Don't forget to visit the cafe Batavia, right in front of the former town hall, a very cosy place to take a drink or eat a bit..
A walk in old town Djakarta (Batavia) with an excellent guide. We hopped into a few museums, a public transport van and visited some of the highlights of old Dutch Indies architecture. Our guide had a profound knowledge of the places we visited, in the old town and the harbour, and of the comings and goings of the spice trade in the colonial era. As a "Blanda" with a family history in the archipel and a keen interest in history, I had a great time and would recommend this walk to anyone interested in the old history of Batavia.
Interesting as a Dutch, conscious about history, to see what's left. My local guide met on time at the old railway station had good info on all and introduced and explained on the remaining buildings, practices. It is done strolling wih one or two short rides and chances to sample some local foods and drinks. I enjoyed it.
Supry was a very good guide - he met me at the train station and then we walked across the street to the building that used to house the central bank and now is a financial museum - I was happily surprised given I work in that general area and found the museum very interesting. Equally interesting was the trip on a local small bus and then a working harbor. Following that another museum - this time focused on the former spice trade. Another museum followed. Supry did a great job and I very much enjoyed the tour.
The Bank and Jakarta Museum visits and the stop at the port were very good. The maritime museum could be left out. Also the long walk back from the port without anything of note to see or talk about could be done by trishaw to save time for the better parts.
We did the walking tour plus cycling to the old harbour with Supry as a guide and had a great afternoon. Supry is very knowledgable when it comes to the history of Jakarta and was able to answer even the most detailed question of hours. His passion for his city is very infectious :-) I can recommend the walk plus the visit of the museums very much, the cycle tour to the harbour is not a must.
