Indonesia’s plan to move its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara took a significant step forward as the new city in East Kalimantan officially opened its doors to the public on Monday, September 16. Following years of closed-door construction, Nusantara, the country’s future administrative hub, welcomed its first visitors, including foreign tourists.
This event marks a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s ambitious efforts to relocate its capital, motivated by Jakarta’s chronic flooding, overpopulation, and environmental degradation.
The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority announced that parts of the city are now accessible daily from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., with a cap of 300 visitors per day. To facilitate access, a specialized app, IKNOW, allows visitors to register for tours, after which they are picked up by electric buses at designated meeting points. The tour includes key landmarks such as Ceremony Plaza and Kusuma Bangsa Park, designed to showcase the city’s vision of blending modernity with sustainability.
Ceremony Plaza, a vast field facing the State and Garuda Palaces, features amenities like a mini-amphitheater, forest trails, and a retail gallery. Meanwhile, Kusuma Bangsa Park, spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, boasts sculptures crafted by famed Balinese artist Nyoman Nuarta. Notably, Nuarta also designed the Garuda Palace’s steel blades, which resemble the wings of the mythical Garuda bird, Indonesia’s national symbol.
The IKN Authority hopes public tours will help build enthusiasm and support for Nusantara’s ongoing development. According to IKN spokesperson Troy Pantouw, “The goal is to let the public experience Nusantara in person and witness its progress.” Pantouw, who personally guided dozens of visitors on the city’s opening day, described the sense of pride and excitement among attendees.
Further reinforcing Nusantara's significance, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is gearing up to promote the new capital as a tourist destination, both domestically and internationally. Director of Tourism Marketing Regional I, Wisnu Sindhutrisno, stated that the ministry plans to roll out promotions in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. The goal is to elevate Nusantara and its surrounding areas into prominent tourist attractions, highlighting its unique blend of urban innovation and cultural heritage.
Visitors are treated to a glimpse of Nusantara’s Garuda Palace, which is currently undergoing a natural patina effect—a visual transformation caused by the oxidation of the red metals used in its construction. This evolving landscape and the eco-friendly design of electric bus tours reflect Indonesia’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its urban planning.
