Pasar Baru Timur, Historic commercial district in central Jakarta, Indonesia.
Pasar Baru Timur is a commercial district in central Jakarta with two to three-story buildings housing textile shops, tailors, sporting goods stores, and electronics retailers. The street is busy with shoppers and vendors daily, creating a tightly packed shopping area with historic character.
The area was established in the 1820s during Dutch colonial rule as Passer Baroe, initially serving European residents as a shopping zone. It later transformed into a major trading hub for the entire city.
Merchants here have long sold fabrics, clothing, and sporting goods to shoppers from across the city, with many stores run by the same families for generations. This continuity shapes the social fabric of the place and shows why it remains a gathering point for diverse groups.
The place is best explored on foot since the streets are narrow and busy with traffic, so arriving early in the morning is advisable. Proximity to bus stations and the Golden Truly Mall makes it easy to reach from different parts of the city.
The architecture blends Chinese and European elements, with preserved buildings such as the Kimia Farma pharmacy and Lee Ie Seng store showing visible traces of this blend. This structure reflects how different cultures influenced each other over time.
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