Once saddled with a reputation as a poverty-ridden hell hole, Jakarta mutated into a metropolis with all the outward appearance of an Asian boom town in not much more than a decade. It took only a week of rioting in May 1998 to reduce some of this modern façade to a burnt out shell. Shopping malls, offices, banks and businesses owned by ethnic Chinese and the ruling Soeharto family took the brunt of the rioters' anger. Jakarta remains very much at the centre of political events re-shaping Indonesia, and how quickly the city recovers from the riots and the political and economic turmoil remains to be seen.

That said, Jakarta is the most expensive city in Indonesia, the most polluted and the most congested. But if you can withstand this onslaught and afford to indulge in its charms, then it is also one of the region's most exciting metropolises. Consider Jakarta the 'big durian' - the foul-smelling exotic fruit that some can't stomach and others can't resist.

Local Travel Agent(s):
	Interasia Tour & Travel
	Address: Jalan Tanjung Duren Barat III No.1, Tomang Ria, Jakarta Barat 11470 Indonesia Phone: +62 021 5631450, Fax: +62 021 56967185
	Lintas Tour
	Address: Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya Flat I No. 3 Jakarta Pusat Indonesia Phone: +62 021 3142895, Fax : +62 021 3144117
	PT. Gembala Eka Travelindo (Getra Tours)
	Address: Jalan Mangga No.1B, Kemayoran Jakarta Pusat 10610 Indonesia Phone: +62 021 4224366, Fax: +62 021 4269175
	Pameda Pacific Travel
	Address: Jalan Let. Jend Soeprapto 121 B1 No.8 Jakarta Indonesia Phone: +62 021 4265412, Fax: +62 021 4265409
	Masindo Buana Wisata
	Address: Jalan Tebet Timur Dalam Raya No.117, Jakarta 12820 Indonesia Phone: +62 021 8293250, Fax: +62 021 8308661