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A city in the West Java province, Depok is located to the south of Jakarta, between Jakarta-Bogor. The city’s name is actually an acronym for De Eerste Protestantse Organisatie van Christenen. Other versions say that the city gets its name from Sundanese, in which “Depok” means hermitage or abode of someone living in seclusion. Contrary to its meaning, Depok is one of the main and developed cities in the West Java Province housing many activities and places to visit for travellers.
Depok is called the ‘Starfruit City’ due to the innumerable starfruit orchards that grow in the city. Formerly a part of the Bogor district, Depok was declared a seperate city in 1999 and has 11 subdistricts. The city is known for its malls and water parks that usually attract many tourists looking for some fun and adventure. The University of Indonesia, one of the leading universities in Indonesia, is situated in Depok.
Dian Al-Mahri Mosque- Also known as the Golden Dome Mosque, Dian-Al Mahri is a mosque on the Raya street in Depok. Apart from the fact that it is known as a place of worship for the Muslims, the mosque complex attracts many tourists every day as the domes are made of actual gold. Constructed in 2006, the mosque has three domes- two big ones, and one small one and the shape of the main dome resembles the Taj Mahal in India. One can see that the architecture of the building follows the Middle Eastern style with immense decorative detail and geometric patterns.
Affandi Museum- A must for any art-lover, The Affandi Museum is a museum which houses Indonesia’s popular artist, Affandi. On the riverside of Gagah Wong, is a small personalised studio of the artist which showcases his paintings. There are three galleries in the museum with Gallery I as a ticket box, Gallery II consisting of the works of other painters and contemporaries of his time and Gallery III, a unique building resembling a banana leaf. Very close to the museum is the tomb of Affandi who passed away in 1990 and the surroundings are filled with lush rose trees giving it a very a pleasing guise.
Ragunan Ragunan is known for the Ragunan Zoo, a huge rainforest park with a centre for animals such as elephants and Sumatran tigers as well as a shaded area for joggers and people who want to reconnect with nature. There are local eateries close by where you can get seafood and meat.
University of Indonesia Campus- Considered to be one of the best universities in Indonesia is the place for you if you’re looking to be around a peaceful, green environment. The air here is fresh and the campus has diverse plants and trees growing which adds to its look. There are 6 lakes here that you can visit, either on a bicycle or by walk but don’t forget to take permission from the guards!
Setu Babakan Setu Babakan is a lake located at Srengseng Sawah and is a site considered to be a part of the cultural heritage of Jakarta and is devoted to preserving the Betawi culture of the region. The lake is known for many recreational activities such as rafting as well as fishing and the surrounding land is used to cultivate fruits and crops like banana, guava and coconuts. There are outdoor stage performances that take place on the weekdays and the people portray the Betawi culture to the people through dance styles like Cokek dance, Topen Dance and Marawis among others.
Pondok Zidane- An outbound activity for both children and adults of all age groups in Sewangan of Depok, Pondok Zidane provides one with the best version of nature. You can swim in the waters or take part in the various activities that take place in the area.
Horse riding at Arthayasa Stable and Country Club- Operating from Tuesdays to Sundays every week, the Arthayasa Stable is a horse riding school. But visitors are allowed to come inside and see the horses and take part in the various activities in the area. There’s a cafeteria in the campus where you can sit and enjoy the horses and the lush greenery.
Wiladatika Theme Park- A recreational park in Depok, it has some very exciting and fun games for the children. There are also bungalows and gazebos that you can rent to relax while your child enjoys the park.
Shopping at Margo City- A mall known solely for its affordable shopping experience, Margo City Mall is a favourite among the locals as well as the tourists who visit Depok. The mall also has many food courts if you get after shopping and a play area for the kids as well.
Depok Fantasi Waterpark- An Arabian Night themed amusement park, Depok Fantasi Waterpark is the first and the biggest recreational park in the whole of Depok. The park has many slide and swimming zones for the kids as well as the adults.
D’kandang Amazing Farm- The D’kandang Amazing Farm can be a fun yet educational experience for children. There are guides available on the premises who will take you around the campus. You’ll also be able to feed the animals and ride the buffalo, which is one of the favourite activities children look forward to! There’s also hunting and fishing available.
Kerang Perang Restaurant- If you love seafood, then you should head to the Kerang Perang Restaurant in Depok. Kerang, meaning selfish is the highlight of this place. Other than this, the menu also includes crabs, snails and sea fish. The food is delicious and affordable too!
Michelle Bakery- Not very far from the main road, Michelle Bakery serves fresh bread and cakes. They also have a small cafe inside where you can sit and relax and is pocket-friendly.
Sate Kambing Pribumi- To try traditional Indonesian food, make sure you visit the Sate Kambing Pribumi when you’re in Depok. The most famous meal you can find here is the Sate Kambing or the lamb meals. You can choose your meal to be sate or soup and the cook will cook your lam accordingly. Make sure to go there early as the meals usually sell out before 2 pm.
Kafe Milan- A favourite among college students, Kafe Milan is an affordable place serving Italian meals. The ambience of the place is quite cosy and comfortable with swing chairs and a few games that you can play while you enjoy your food.
Pempek Okky- Pempek is a signature dish from South Sumatera. It’s a fish delicacy made of fish and tapioca served with a rich sweet-sour sauce. Also try the Tekwan from here, which is made from fish and is boiled and served in the form of a soup.
Other than these, the malls in Depok such as the Margo City Mall, Depok Mall Detos Mall have a vast variety of food stores that have a diverse menu.
Until the 17th century, Depok was a secluded hamlet but in 1696, a VOC official by name Cornelis Chastelein bought Depok. He was also a missionary who preached Christianity to the indigenous people of Depok. He established the local congregation called ‘De Eerste Protestante Organisatie van Christenen (DEPOC).
Today, most of the occupants of Depok follow Islam. After Chastelein’s death, Depok was given to 12 slave families as per his will converting them into landlords. In 1871, The Dutch Government, which had control over, Depok gave Depok a special status which allowed the area to form its own government and elect their president. In 1952, the Depok presidency handed over the administration of the region to the Indonesian government.