Visiting Lubang Buaya: The 1965 Memorial

Lubang Buaya, in East Jakarta's Cipayung district, is where the events of 30 September 1965 took place, one of the turning points in Indonesia's modern history. The memorial complex here, Monumen Pancasila Sakti, and its museum remember what happened on this ground.

It is a serious, quiet place and a very different visit from the rest of East Jakarta's sights. If you want to understand the country beyond its parks and food, it is worth the trip.

This is a memorial to people who died here, not an attraction to rush through. Dress modestly, keep your voice down, and take your time at the well and in the museum. Be thoughtful about photographs, especially of other visitors.

Lubang Buaya and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah are both in Cipayung, so they fit naturally into one trip. One way to do it: arrive at the memorial when it opens, then head to TMII, which stays open until 20:00 (last ticket 19:00). Note that TMII's museums mostly close about 16:00. Our TMII one-day itinerary has the details.

The other way round works too: start at TMII when Gate 3 opens at 05:00, see the cable car and pavilions in the cool of the morning, and continue to Lubang Buaya before it closes at about 16:00. For lunch in between, Pasar Nusantara Sarinah, the food court inside TMII that opened in April 2025, is the easiest option.

Grab and Gojek cars and motorbike taxis are the simplest way to reach the memorial and to hop between it and TMII. LRT Jabodebek has a TMII station, and TransJakarta buses cover the district. If you are flying in, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) is also in East Jakarta.

For a two-sight day, the hotels next to Taman Mini make the best base: Oakwood Hotel & Apartments is a five-minute walk from the park, and Hotel Santika TMII on Jl. Pintu 1 TMII is good value.