6 Best Sights in Indonesia

Bali's lake country highlands present breathtaking vistas at elevations above 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), two to three hours north of southern resort areas. Bedugul overlooks Danau (Lake) Bratan. Lakeside temple Pura Ulun Danau Bratan (Rp10,000) is rightly among Bali's most photographed spots. Vast Bali Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali; Rp7,000), mobbed on Sundays, grows palms to pines to pink roses, thanks to the elevation. Bedugul's market and countless hawkers sell famed local strawberries. The winding 16-km (10-mile) road to Munduk skirts Danau Buyan and Danau Tamblingan, with views of forested mountainsides that reach the sea. Munduk features hiking trails, waterfalls, Dutch colonial buildings, and coffee plantations. Weather ranges from sweltering sun to misty downpour to mountain chill, often changing dramatically within a couple of hours.

A longstanding city landmark, Jalan Surabaya's gaggle of shops and kiosks is Jakarta's place to look for an Elvis Presley LP and a gramophone to play it. Locals and visitors stream here for the mind-boggling variety of knickknacks and tchotchkes, plus art pieces and antiques ranging fabulous to fake; before spending serious money, make certain you know the difference. Jalan Surabaya has something for everyone, so give yourself a few hours to sift through its full half-kilometer (one-third mile) length. Haggling with the good-natured but savvy sellers, starting at a fraction of their asking price, is part of experience. Get your piece at your price? Then bargain for a vintage bag to bring it home.

Surrounded by a grassy park in bustling Central Jakarta, the towering National Monument (Monument Nasional, or Monas) was begun by founding president Sukarno to celebrate Indonesia's independence in 1961 and remains the capital city's signature landmark. Beat the crowds to visit the observation desk nearly 400 feet high for a close up of the gold flame spiraling into the clouds. The National History Museum at the base of the marble-clad obelisk lays political propaganda on thick in its 51 dioramas. The park, officially Lapangan Merdeka (Independence Square), offers a random sociological study of the capital, especially on Sundays when it's packed with fitness warriors and various wandering "therapists" offering traditional massage.

Ubud is Bali's arts center, and Neka Museum traces the island's painting history. Arranged like a family compound in separate pavilions in a garden, the museum illustrates the evolution of painting in Bali, including the influence of prominent foreign and Indonesian artists who have lived here. One wing showcases Java's Abdul Aziz, who evocatively depicted everyday Balinese. Upstairs, there's a veritable greatest hits gallery dedicated to Bali's resident international masters, including Antonio Blanco and Rudolf Bonnet.

In a city bursting with new malls, the first is still worth a look. The brainchild of Indonesian founding father President Sukarno, Sarinah began doing business in 1962 and was Jakarta's first department store with escalators. But don't visit this state-owned retailer for nostalgia. Centrally located Sarinah specializes in Indonesian products and is the best place in town to shop for souvenirs. Find three floors devoted to the archipelago's handicrafts and textiles, including its famed batik and woven ikat in dark, rich colors. Variety here is second to none and at a range of reasonable prices. Throughout the store, bargains abound on men's and women's fashions, cosmetics, CDs, and perfume, plus anything you forgot you to pack.

Batik, intricately woven ikat, and gold-threaded songket from the fabric of Indonesian culture are the star subjects of the Textile Museum (Museum Tekstil), which showcases vintage and modern fabric creations from across the nation inside an elegant 19th-century mansion. Beware that cab drivers often miss the entrance amid the colorful flea market lining the street. The museum's extensive collection, which could stand upgraded maintenance and displays, includes a wide selection of batik, an Indonesian innovation that's now renowned globally. Draw inspiration from the collection to create your own batik. Museum staff guide you through the process, including design, waxing, dyeing, boiling (the cloth, not you), and drying, so you can wear your creation proudly.