Jakarta

They don’t call Jakarta “the Big Durian” for nothing. Like the fruit itself, this concrete jungle of more than nine million people, unchecked commercial growth and traffic woes may appear thorny on the outside. But crack its shell, and you’ll have a sweet experience complete with dining endeavors, cultural insights, historical treasures and malls (a Jakarta cultural experience in their own right). An expansive business center, the capital city is home to Indonesians from across the archipelago who have brought their unique cultures and cuisine with them in search of opportunity. It’s also a destination for many business travelers and a stopover for those on their way to Balinese beaches.