10 Allures of Depok

10 Allures of Depok

Depok is a city in West Java province, Indonesia on the southern border of DKI Jakarta in the Jabodetabek metropolitan region. The "de" in Jabodetabek refers to Depok, while the word "depok" itself comes from Sundanese language meaning hermitage or abode of one living in seclusion. There is also a saying that the Depok word is an acronym of De Eerste Protestants Onderdaan Kerk.

There are 10 allures of Depok :

1. Depok has a growing eclectic collection of malls and traditional markets. Older malls or other notable shopping centers include Mall Depok, Depok Plaza, and SixtyOne Building, and Depok ITC. Modern-day landmarks that were once known as Depok's primary shopping centers include Ramanda (now an autoshop plus education centre), Hero Supermarket (now Index Home Furnishings), Agung Shop (now defunct and burned during the riot), and Target (now defunct). There are several new shopping centers in Depok: ITC Depok, Depok Town Square — commonly referred to as DeTos, and the latest mall which is Margo City, all on Margonda Raya street. Traditional markets include Pasar Depok Baru, Pasar Depok Lama, Pasar, Pasar PAL, Pasar Agung, Pasar Musi, Pasar Majapahit. Depok has several major bookstores including a Gramedia and Toko Gunung Agung and a large collection of small roadside bookstores.                                      
2. Public car transportation (angkot) is the major means of transportation in Depok. The other means of transport is train that connects Depok to Jakarta to the north and Bogor to the south.  In Depok there are two major train stations. The Depok or Depok Lama (Old Depok) Station, which is older and has many more tracks, is located to the south. The Depok Baru (New Depok) Station is closer to Jakarta. There are smaller train stations: University of Indonesia and Pondok Cina. The train is the fastest and most-used way to travel to central Jakarta and is usually extremely crowded during peak times.
3.  Depok has many restaurants and cafes such as McDonalds, A&W, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks, What’s Up café, Yellow Truck Coffee, and so on.
4. Education in Depok. There are several universities in Depok: Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gunadarma, Politeknik Tugu, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta,  Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika. Depok has several private language schools, namely EF English First, International Language Programs (ILP), Lembaga Indonesia Amerika (LIA) and The British Institute (TBI),Lembaga Pendidikan Amerika Indonesia (LPIA) and several other smaller establishments. These are all along Margonda Raya and Cinere Raya, the main road through Depok.
5. In Depok, you can find the most incredible sight: a gold-domed mosque. Known in Indonesia as Masjid Kubah Mas, or otherwise as Masjid Dian Al-Mahri, it's built on a plot of 80 hectares of land surrounded by fruit trees and a few other large, luxurious buildings. No expense seems to have been spared in the construction of the mosque: all the domes, pillars, and chandeliers have that golden touch, and many of the building materials were imported as well. Admission to the mosque is free, and people come from far and wide to see it. The mosque is well worth seeing, but do make sure to wear appropriate clothing that covers your legs and arms.
6. Pasir Putih Depok, Located on Jl Raya Pasir Putih, Sawangan, this place is a water park and outbound venue. There are swimming pool, waterpark, trampoline, flying fox, and ATV.
7. Pancoran Mas Conservation, this Forest Park is located at Jl. Cagar Alam and has been around since the Dutch colonial era. It is the habitat for several types of snake, bird, and also varieties of plant. Perfect for nature lovers.
8.  Depok Fantasy Water Park, also known as “Waterboom Depok” in Depok Grand City, it adopted 1001 Nights theme where Aladdin and Princess Jasmine will greet you at the entrance and see the arabian palace with colorful domes.
9. D’Kandang Amazing Farm, located at a countryside in Sawangan, you will see the interesting life at the farm. Learn the difference of local and imported cows. There are white, mottled brown or black, and even albino buffalo.
10.  Kampung 99 Pepohonan, also known as “Village of Deer”, this place is located in Meruyung, Limo. Here, you can enjoy the green atmosphere, get to know the flora and fauna, as well as the outbound activities in the nature.