If you’re heading to Jakarta, Indonesia for the VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 and wondering how to make the most of your time between matches, we’ve got you covered!
JAKARTA — The Ascension Pacific 2024 event is scheduled for September 20-29 in Indonesia, with two break days on September 25 and 26. The first four days will feature three matches per day, while the final day of the group stage will only have two matches. However, this initial phase of the tournament will be held behind closed doors and will not be open to the public.
The playoffs, happening in the last three days, will be held at Britama Arena in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. You can plan which matches you want to attend and spend the rest of your day exploring all that Jakarta has to offer!
Remember that Jakarta isn’t typically a holiday destination, but it still has plenty to offer and can be quite a charming city worth exploring. People often spend their weekends hanging out at malls, and the food scene down here is a major draw. With thousands of local dishes and a range of international cuisines, Jakarta is perfect for expanding your taste buds.
Things to Know When Visiting Jakarta for VCT Ascension Pacific 2024:
- SIM Cards: You can grab a SIM card at the airport or nearby convenience stores like Indomaret or Alfamart. Telkomsel and XL are the top options.
- Convenience Stores: Look out for Alfamart or Indomaret near your accommodation for daily needs. Food stalls often gather around them for quick meals.
- Electrical Outlets: Indonesia uses two-pin plugs, type C or F (200V/50Hz).
- Payment: You can use cash pretty much everywhere in Jakarta, and most places take VISA/Mastercard too. It’s a good idea to keep some cash on hand just in case for streetfood or other stuff.
- Navigation: Google Maps is a lifesaver. Jakarta’s traffic is rough during peak hours, so plan ahead, or use motorbike ride-hailing for faster travel (more on that later).
- Water Safety: Like most Southeast Asian countries, avoid drinking tap water, even in hotels.
- Weather: It’s hot and humid, so pack light clothing, but avoid anything too revealing.
- Safety at Night: Walking at night is generally safe, especially in South Jakarta, but avoid poorly lit alleys. Pedestrian spaces outside of South and Central Jakarta aren’t the best.
Transportation during VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 in Jakarta:
- Main Transportation for you: Grab and Gojek are your best options for ride-hailing cars, motorbikes, and food delivery. Using a credit card as your payment method makes it easy.
- Taxis: If you need a taxi, stick to Bluebird (blue cars with a bird logo). They have a large fleet and an app called MyBlueBird where you can pay by card.
- TransJakarta: This is the world’s longest Bus Rapid Transit system, with fares at just Rp 3,500 (~$0.22). You can explore the city with it, but during rush hours it can get crowded. The same goes for the local train (KAI), which is only worth it if you’re looking to experience the local way of living.
- MRT: Indonesia’s MRT system is still new and expanding, currently offering only one line from South to Central Jakarta. It’s great but still has limited coverage.
We’re splitting the Ascension Jakarta guide into two sections: Hotspots and Tourist Mode.
- Hotspots feature the most current and exciting places where you can experience the latest trends and see where the younger crowd hangs out.
- Tourist Mode is designed for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture and history of Jakarta and Indonesia.
(Photo courtesy of JakartaTourism)
Hotspots:
South Jakarta:
This area is a hotspot for both locals and expats, packed with skyscrapers, business hubs, upscale malls, trendy cafes, clubs, and bars. You could easily spend days exploring and still have plenty left to discover.
- Luxury Malls: Plaza Indonesia, Pacific Place, Astha 8
- Upscale Malls: Grand Indonesia & Plaza Indonesia (West Jakarta but near South), Gandaria City, Lotte Shopping Avenue, Senayan City, Pondok Indah Mall
- Cafes: Baker Man, Union, Monsieur Spoon, Tanatap Coffee Ampera, Miers Kuningan ARTOTEL Curated Rooftop
- Nightlife: The H Club SCBD, De Hooi Pondok Indah, Beer Hall SCBD, Lucy In the Sky, Bengkel Space, Blok M
Car Free Day, South & North Jakarta:
- When: Every Sunday, from 6 AM to 11 AM.
- Where: Downtown Jakarta, along Jalan Sudirman and Jalan M.H. Thamrin, near Bundaran HI and the Selamat Datang Monument.
- How to Get There: Take TransJakarta or the MRT to Bundaran HI Station. Alternatively, taxis, Gojek, and Grab can drop you off close to the main area.
Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta:
A trendy area that feels like a different side of Jakarta. It’s spread out, so use Grab or GO-JEK to get around.
- PIK Avenue Mall: A high-end shopping destination in the area.
- Pantjoran Chinatown PIK [RECOMMENDED]: A Chinese culinary hotspot and popular hangout spot with a Chinatown theme, including areas for prayers to Chinese gods and the tallest pagodas in Jakarta, behind a massive Guan Yin statue.
- By The Sea PIK: A fashion and lifestyle shopping district mostly consists of local brands.
- Batavia PIK [RECOMMENDED]: A long, beachfront outdoor area perfect for jogging or cycling, with a variety of retail, shopping, and dining options. You can rent different types of bicycles to explore the track and enjoy the beachfront.
- Land’s End PIK 2 / Aloha PIK 2 / Dreamville Beach Club PIK 2 [RECOMMENDED]: Bali-style beaches.
- Taman Doa Our Lady of Akita PIK 2: Inspired by the Our Lady of Akita Prayer Garden in Japan, known for its statue of the Virgin Mary that reportedly shed tears 101 times.
North Jakarta
- This is where the Ascension event will be held, specifically in the Kelapa Gading area
- Malls to Visit: Mall Kelapa Gading, Mall of Indonesia, Emporium Pluit.
- There’s not much in terms of sightseeing, but it’s great for cafe hopping and exploring the local food scene, which will be the main area for our food guide “MAKAN2ASIA”. Most people tend to spend their time hanging out at the malls.
Tourist Mode:
North Jakarta:
- Kota Tua: The old Dutch city center with historical buildings and museums. If you’re not used to local street food, it’s best to avoid it to prevent stomach issues
- Ancol: Ancol: Jakarta’s premier recreational area featuring an amusement park (Dufan), a large aquarium with a walk-through tunnel and shark feedings (SeaWorld), a beach, a marine park with dolphin, and sea lion shows (Ocean Dream Samudra), and much more
Central Jakarta:
- Monas: The Indonesian national monument, featuring the national flag and independence text. You can visit the observation deck for panoramic views of Jakarta. The top is coated with 35 kg of gold
- National Museum: Explore Indonesia’s rich history and culture
- Sarinah: One of Jakarta’s oldest and most iconic shopping centers. It’s a great place to find souvenirs and local handicrafts. You can pick up traditional Indonesian textiles, batik, and other artisanal items.
- Glodok: A historic Chinatown area. It is known for its bustling markets and shops, where you can find everything from electronics and gadgets to traditional Chinese herbs and spices. You’ll find several Chinese temples in Glodok, including Vihara Dharma Bhakti, which is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Jakarta
- Tanah Abang: A major fashion commercial and shopping district in Jakarta, similar to the area around Bangkok’s Platinum Fashion Mall
Our food guide, MAKAN2ASIA, is coming soon! We’ve gathered top picks from locals who swear by these spots as Jakarta’s culinary gold. Whether you’re into street food or upscale dining, we’ve got the inside scoop on the best places to eat in town.
Make sure you’re in the loop—follow VALO2ASIA on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for all the tasty details and updates.
For more insights on the Asian VALORANT scene and upcoming content like this, be sure to like and follow VALO2ASIA on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Indonesia
