 Solo Travel Guide, Indonesia
Puro Mangkunegaran Palace, Solo
Author: Meursault2004 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Solo, known in full as Surakarta, is a major city in Central Java, Indonesia. The city of over 600,000 people is located 65 km (40 miles) to the northeast of Yogyakarta, and 100 km (60 miles) to the southeast of Semarang. The city, or rather the river that flows through it, is the inspiration for the famous Indonesian song Bengawan Solo, which was written in 1940 by Gesang Martohartono in the kroncong style. This is like an Indonesian version to Moon River, the famous 1960 song that appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany's. At 600 km in length, Bengawan Solo, or Solo River, is the longest river in Java.
Guide to Solo Hotels
It's never easy finding the hotel that's just right for your stay. Still, by taking a little time to do your research, you increase your chance of getting a good hotel at the best price. Go through the list of hotels in Solo which we've put together, with full description, star rating, address, location map and evaluation. Pick the hotel of your choice and view the rates offered by different booking sites. Yes, we show you prices from different websites, so you don't have to visit them one by one.
Fruit juice vendor in Solo
Author: Meursault2004 (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
More on Solo
In May 1998, Solo was the site of large scale rioting triggered by escalating oil prices. Angry mobs torched many buildings, particularly targetting banks and government offices. It spiralled into a racial riot aimed at businesses owned by Indonesian Chinese.
The city gained notoriety again on 17 September, 2009, when one of the most prominent terrorist suspects in Southeast Asia, Noordin M. Top, a Malaysian national, was shot dead there in a shootout.
Budget Travel to Solo
The main gateway to Solo is the Adisumarmo International Airport (SOC), located 10 km to the north of the city. Among the international flights serving this airport are Silk Air from Singapore and AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur.
From the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi to downtown. Pay for your taxi at the taxi counter, where you are asked your destination, and you will be assigned the taxi.
Budget Travel within Solo
The most practical form of transport are the taxis. For exploring at a more leisurely pace, take the becak (trishaw).
The Keraton (palace) of Surakarta
Author: Meursault2004 (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 Generic)
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Places of Interest in Solo
- Bengawan Solo River
View the longest river in Java.
- Candi Ceto
Ancient temple located in the mountains near Solo.
- Candi Sukuh Solo
Ancient temple located at a height of 910 meters on the slopes of Gunung Lawu, a mountain in Solo.
- Jurug Zoo
A local zoo.
- Kasunanan Palace
Ancient palace built in 1675.
- Museum Radya Pustaka
Over a hundred years old, this is one of the top museums in Indonesia with a wide range of exhibits on the tradition and customs in Solo.
- Puro Mangkunegaran Palace
A beautiful palace in the heart of Solo built in 1757.
- Sahasra Adhi Pura
Javanese Hindu temple.
- Sangiran Museum and Early Man Site
Museum at the archaeological site of the Java Man.
- Sriwedari Amusement Park
A theme park for the locals, with rides, cultural shows , playground, and more.
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