TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The main lunar new-year celebration events in Jakarta were centerd in Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown on January 28, 2017. Traditionally, ethnic Chinese families would spend the day together by going to the temple to pray, setting off fireworks or fire crackers and watching the lion and dragon dance around the temple premises.
Most of the people celebrating the event - and also tourists - visited the Dharma Bhakti Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in Jakarta. Tourists were welcomed into the temple to engage with and experience the prayers and traditions.
"It is the same in every country, spirituality is a big place. We see the power from the people around the world and their prayers and spirituality," said two German tourists who were present during the celebration event.
The Chinatown part itself was somewhat quiet as most store and restaurant owners were not open for business.
GEMALA DARMADI