In the early 18th century, Jl. Perniagaan Barat, Roa Malaka, Jakarta Barat/West Jakarta known as Jl. Dji Lak Keng which means “twenty-six buildings”. The Angke river that flowing in front of Jl. Dji Lak Keng finally also known as Dji Lak Keng river. Twenty-six of the building used as a home of opium, a gambling, and also prostitution place. In general, the building owners make the first floor as opium place and the second floor as a place of gambling. At this floor the men will gamble while accompanied by sex workers. At that time, Jl. Perniagaan Barat grow into what so called” The Las Vegas from Batavia” and became one of the major tourist destination of merchants and nobility. The activities at this place started from afternoon until midnight.

The VOC attempt to weaken the Chinese through opium and gambling. The VOC then formed a opium community in 1745 and called the Amfioen Societeit. From this community the VOC earn a huge income. Jl. Perniagaan Barat were not only famous because of  the opium house and prostitusion but also because of the cheapness of liquor sold in the region. Currently from the twenty-six buildings that existed at that time, that was 5 building left including Lay An Tong Drug Stores.

How to get here (see the route map):

From Juanda/Gondangdia /Cikini go to platform 1 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 12 minutes walk to the West

From Tanah Abang go to platform 3 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai go to platform 3/5 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 12 minutes walk to the West

From Sudirman go to platform 2 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai go to platform 3/5 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 12 minutes walk to the West

see the link map or the map below