SOLO

Solo City Regency

Solo City Regency

The City Never Sleep

Solo

The City Regency Never Sleep

Solo is a pleasant city with a lively character. Solo is also called ‘the city that never sleeps’. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small food stalls remain open 24 hours. It is home of two royal houses that held centuries of power and influence over the city. Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance all its own. It is one of the major centers of Batik and souvenir hunters may be lucky enough to find old Javanese antiques. The becak (three-wheeled rickshaw) and andong (traditional horse-drawn carriage) are the most flexible types of traditional transportation within the city and are readily available.

Kasunanan Palace

Kasunanan Palace is the royal 17th century residence of King Pakubowono. The palace houses an art gallery exhibiting royal heirlooms, antiques and other invaluable objects in a genuinely royal Javanese setting. The palace is open daily to the public from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and is closed on Fridays.

Mangkunegaran Palace

This palace was built in 1757 in typical Javanese architecture, i.e. it has a pendopo, or open front hall in which to receive guests, a pringitan (a porch to hold leather puppet shadow plays) and private apartments. Two sets of 17th century Javanese gamelan instruments are exhibited and played every Wednesday in the Pendopo. The palace also exhibits complete collection of masks, wayang orang costumes, leather and wooden puppets, religious articles and jewelry. Visitors can watch dancers practicing in Mangkunegaran palace on Wednesdays from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.

Batik Village of Laweyan Solo

Batik Solo has its special traditional patterns and uniqueness. In Laweyan, there are hundreds of modern batik patterns utilizing beautiful bright colors. There are two methods that they master to produce the desired pattern. The first one is the process of stamped batik known as Batik Cap and the second is the delicate hand-drawn batik known as Batik Tulis.

In this village, the buildings of their Batik House are unique. Influenced by Javanese, European, Oriental, Islamic, and traditional style, they have numerous treasures in an architectural form. This cultural village is abundance in various heritage buildings located in the heart of Solo.

If you are interested in batik fabric, make sure that you pay a visit to Batik Village of Laweyan. The village is the batik center area in Solo and has existed since the time of the Kingdom of Pajang in 1546. Apart from hunting for batik fabric for memento, at this village you can also watch the process of batik making for both handmade batik and stamp batik.

Wirun Tourist Village

Wirun Village is a village known for its craftsmanship in gamelan music instruments. Apart from gamelan, the villagers also produce a range of arts and textiles goods like paper puppet craft, kris crafting, jumputan textile craft, wooden batik craft and so forth.

In this village the tourists can have fun at the fishing pond and enjoy the bonsai collection. Art performances such as kethoprak, jathilan, karawitan and campursari keroncong orchestra are also frequently performed in this village as the tourist attractions of the city of Solo.

Wirun village is located in Mojolaban District and it is easy to access from various directions. This village is located 5 kilometers to the east of Solo. From Solo, the tourists can take a taxi or other public transportation to reach the village.

Tawangmanggu

Located 40 kilometers east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh air, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalows and restaurants. It lies on the slopes of Mt. Lawu, at an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level. Other features nearby include temple ruins, a national park, and the 40 meters high Grojogan Sewu waterfall.

Sukuh Temple

Only 34 kilometers from Solo is the late 15th century Sukuh Hindu Temple from the Majapahit era. The temple uniquely decorated with erotic stone carvings and thought to be dedicated to the ancient Tantric concept of spiritual liberation.

Ceto Temple

Ceto Temple is located in western slope of Mt. Lawu, Gumeng village, in Jenawi district of Karanganyar- Surakarta. It is located on a hill about 1,400 meters above sea level. Ceto temple is constructed in levels as is typical of Hindu temples. Relief at the temple depict scenes of human passion, the most difficult of obstacles on the road to purification of the soul.

Kemuning Tea Plantation

Kemuning Tea Plantation is located between Sukuh and Ceto temples. A pleasing 300 hectares of tea plantations cover the area like a vibrant green rug.

Tourism Event

Wayang Orang

Wayang Orang (Javanese Opera) performed every night from 8 pm to 10 pm in Sriwedari Auditorium, Solo. Closed on Sundays.

Sekatan Fair

Sekaten Fair, Solo. This is a traditional Javanese fair held during the Islamic month of Rabiul Awal (or Javanese month of ‘Mulud’) to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. The fair takes place at the Alunalun Utara (Northern Square) of the Kraton. It is open to visitors day and night. A similar festival is also held in Jogjakarta.