Everybody keeps labeling Jakarta as one of the busiest cities in the world. Little do they know that Jakarta, if researched thoroughly, can be an excellent place for any vacation. After all, everything is there, from historical monuments to nightclubs. The same goes for malls. There are lots of malls in Jakarta, giving you the option to pick one that suits you the most.

Grand Indonesia

Grand Indonesia is one of many luxurious malls in Jakarta. It was opened in 2007 by the sixth president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The mall has at least seven floors, making it one of the biggest malls in Jakarta. Grand Indonesia’s area is 250.000 m2. Since it’s incredibly spacious, it contains many kinds of stores, from the most luxurious brands to the inexpensive food stalls lining up ready to serve you.

The mall has three sections as its main features. Alun Alun Indonesia, which is the first feature, provides a luxurious shopping space for local brands to promote Indonesia’s culture. The second feature, Dancing Fountain Show, is a replica of Rockefeller Plaza and its light show. The show is performed on weekends from 11 AM to 9 PM. The last feature is Galeri Indonesia Kaya. The spacious auditorium is used to showcase Indonesia’s culture through its modern equipment. So in Grand Indonesia, you won’t only do shopping but also gain more insight into Indonesia’s culture.

Mall Taman Anggrek

Mall Taman Anggrek is one of the oldest malls in Jakarta, as the mall was built in 1996. The mall, just like Grand Indonesia, has seven floors, but its size is 360,000 sqm. You can get anything in this mall, from the sports shoes you’ve been eyeing to the shabu-shabu restaurant that fills the lobby with its tasty smell.

The main highlights of the mall, however, are its ice skating rink and apartment. The apartment is directly connected to the mall thanks to the sky bridge, so the apartment’s residents can go to the mall right away without having to take out their transportation. The skating rink is on the third floor and is one of the most sought-after entertainment, especially during weekends. So don’t be surprised if you see the skating rink packed with children during the holidays.

Pondok Indah Mall

If you think that a mall can only have one building, then it’s time for you to visit Pondok Indah Mall. Unlike the rest of the malls in Jakarta, Pondok Indah Mall has three buildings in total. The names of the buildings? You got it; it’s PIM 1, PIM 2, and PIM 3.

Although the three buildings are under the same management, there are differences among them. The first difference is the location of the entertainment section. The entertainment section of PIM 1 is on the third floor, while for the second building, it’s in front of the restaurant section.

The second difference is what’s inside the building. PIM 1 and PIM 2 are pretty similar. You can find the same things there, just with different brands. They are also the buildings where you can watch the cinema. PIM 3, however, is different. The third building focuses on the culinary industry, so you can only find restaurants there.

The last difference is the operation time. PIM 1 and PIM 2 open from 10 AM to 10 PM. However, PIM 3 opens until midnight; the difference in operation time probably has something to do with the tenants of the building. Either way, you will find yourself engrossed for the entire day since you have three buildings to visit.

Kota Kasablanka

Unlike the other two malls, Kota Kasablanka only has five floors. Don’t underestimate this mall, though, as the number of stores there can rival Grand Indonesia’s and Taman Anggrek’s. After all, there are more than 150 stores you can visit in this mall.

Besides shopping and dining, you can also take your kids out for some fun in Kota Kasablanka. There are three places you can bring your kids – Amazing D’ Caribbean, Cinema XXI, and Chipmunks Playland & Cafe. Amazing D’ Caribbean and Chipmunks Playland & Cafe are similar, as the two are playgrounds where the kids can try out different arcade games. If the kids want to watch some movies, they can opt for Cinema XXI.

Another highlight of Kota Kasablanka is The Kasablanka Hall. It is a multipurpose room that is commonly used for wedding receptions and meetings. For reservation, you can visit the mall’s website. Besides booking, you can also check the upcoming events.

Plaza Indonesia

Among all the malls mentioned here, Plaza Indonesia probably has the least amount of floors – six and a basement. Don’t be mistaken, though, as Plaza Indonesia is another mall that was built in the 90s (1990 to be exact).

Since Plaza Indonesia is one of the oldest malls in Indonesia, it has gone through several updates. Now, the mall is accompanied by other buildings such as Grand Hyatt (hotel), The Plaza Office Tower (office building), and The Keraton Grand Hyatt Residences (apartment).

Just like any other malls, Plaza Indonesia is categorized into different sections (dining, entertainment, health, and others). Each section has more than four stores so that you won’t run out of options and choices. Many stores offer discounts daily. The discounts can be checked on the mall’s website. Make sure to take advantage of the discounts and save big!

Of course, these malls are not the only malls in Jakarta. There are other malls such as ITC, Plaza Senayan, and many more. The malls discussed above are great ways to start your shopping experience.