Once an important area for the cultivation of palm oil and durian, Duren Sawit is now a bustling residential district in East Jakarta. It’s fringed by the Buaran River and traversed by a canal designed to divert floodwaters from the city. Dotting Duren Sawit are local eateries, mosques and recreational facilities.
Things to do in Duren Sawit
Straddling the Banjir Kanal Timur is a leafy recreational park with a children’s playground and street vendors selling local specialties. You can stretch your legs on the walking trail or rent a bicycle to explore the canal at your leisure. It’s a particularly popular spot for early-morning joggers, with a handful of coffee bars where you can grab a brew afterwards.
If the weather’s not favourable for exercising outside, you can head indoors to the Tifosi Sports Center. It boasts nine courts for playing basketball, volleyball and futsal, as well as facilities dedicated to handball and hockey. Nearby are plenty of restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat, including the Lukla Rooftop and the Little Bro Communal Space.
For a retail fix, head to the Cipinang Indah Mall, a multi-storey shopping centre with fashion, electronic and sporting stores. You can watch the latest movie blockbusters at the multi-screen cinema complex, indulge in a beauty treatment at one of the salons or shop for jewellery at Cindy. When it’s time to eat, dining options at the mall include Steak 21, Ichiban Sushi and the Imperial Kitchen & Dimsum.
Getting around Duren Sawit
Duren Sawit is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Jakarta and just under an hour from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Duren Sawit and travel throughout the district. Ojek motorcycle taxis are also available for getting around.