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Jakarta Museums
 National Museum
Address: Jalan Merdeka Barat 12 (BRT Monumen Nasional), Gambir, Central Jakarta.
Review: The Batavian Society of the Arts and Sciences was established on this site in 1778. Due to its rapid growth, the building was transformed into a museum in 1862. Among its collections are fine ethnographic and pre-historic items, including china, bronze and gold objects, stone sculptures and textiles that provide an excellent overview of ancient Indonesian culture.
The National Museum is a fantastic introduction to Indonesia's history and culture. If you have trouble telling your driver where you want to go, just mention “Gedung Gajah”, or the “elephant building” as it is popularly known.
This is due to the elephant sculpture donated by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871 on the front lawn. Inside, you'll find the collection is very complete, with exhibits dating back as far as 1778 when the Museum was established.
On the ground floor, look for the fabulous array of Batik clothing on display as well as the skull and thigh-bone of Java Man, one of the oldest prehistoric man skeletons found anywhere in the world. Here you'll also find bronzes and ceramics from the periods of Chinese trade during the Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties as well as a beautiful array of religious art.
On the second floor, you'll find the most precious exhibits – namely the gold treasure found on the slopes of Central Java's Mount Merapi in 1990. Found by workmen excavating the site for volcanic rock in 1990, the treasure consists of over 16kg of ancient gold artifacts. You will also find an exhibit of 5th century daggers and necklaces from the Hindu Kutai Kingdom in Kalimantan.
Getting there: The Museum Nasional is located accross the "Monas" Transjakarta Busway stop (Line I).
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