Senen

Senen is a district in Central Jakarta encompassing six administrative villages with diverse commercial and residential functions. The area combines traditional markets with shopping centers and neighborhoods, creating a mixed-use urban environment.

A market was established here in 1733 by Justinus Vinck, and road connections gradually transformed it into a commercial hub. This trade function became fundamental to how the area developed over time.

During the 1970s, the area became known as Planet Senen and served as a gathering place where artists, poets, and musicians from across the city came to exchange ideas. This creative legacy still influences local culture and community spaces today.

The district connects to greater Jakarta through multiple transit options including Stasiun Pasar Senen railway station and numerous bus routes serving the area. Early mornings work best for exploring, as the markets operate actively and streets are less crowded.

Narrow traditional alleyways such as Gang Wang Seng and Gang Kenanga preserve the appearance of old Chinese commercial streets from earlier eras. These tight passages are remnants of an older urban pattern that has largely vanished elsewhere in Jakarta.