Batik, one of the country's most highly developed art forms and indeed its national art, is beautifully handcrafted textile work. The painstaking labour that goes into batik is testament to the patience and creativity of the Indonesian women, who excel at this art form. Many experience a sensual overload on their first visit to a batik store or factory due to the many colours, patterns and the actual smell of batik.

The word batik derives from the word 'ambatik' which translates as 'a cloth with little dots'. Largely associated with Indonesia although other Southeast Asian countries and parts of Africa produce it, common motifs include flowers, plants, leaves buds, flowers, birds, butterflies, fish, insects and geometric forms rich in symbolic association and variety. There are about three thousand recorded batik patterns.

Jakarta has great buys if you're looking for traditional handcrafted arts. Sarinah and Pasaraya Grande department stores, both conveniently located, remain the best one-stop shopping places for Indonesian arts and crafts.

Several floors of each store are dedicated to the sale of locally crafted items including textiles, weaving, carvings, paintings, silver, jewelry, basketry, puppetry, leather goods and a range of interior design items.

Jakarta is a great place to pick up antiques. Jakarta's antiques scene attracts many visitors, for both its variety and reasonable pricing. Furniture, jewellry and home furnishings are just some of the items people come in search of in Jakarta. Regardless of whether you are an antiques enthusiast or not, wandering from one shop to the next can be quite pleasant, just for observational purposes.

Be forewarned that not all the 'antiques' you see will be authentic, keep in mind that Indonesians like many other people in Asia, are a dab hand at replicating things. Expect to be greeted with the token sales pitch: "You buy! I give good price for you!"

Pasar is Indonesian for 'market' and Jakarta has a good few of them. At your traditional pasar you will witness traditional bargaining, hard selling and the general horse trading that comprises a typical Indonesian market. It's all a fascinating experience that offers a true insight into Indonesian culture, in the way only markets can do

Jakarta's markets feature plenty of interesting relics, fabrics and cultural delights that are unique to the country and telling of its cultural heritage. Hot and sweaty, yes – be sure to wear light, loose-fitting clothes and have bottled water at hand

Patience will also serve you well, as many vendors are under the impression that badgering you is the best way of talking you into buying their products.