The Festival – Solo City

Solo has developed a unique identity as a favorite tourist destination of the country. Festival in Solo forms an integral part of the culture of the local people. The people of Solo celebrate different colorful festivals and occasions.

Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony Solo
The Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony is an annual festival that is arranged in the month of Mulud, which is the third month acoording to the Japanese calendar. The ceremony starts on the fifth day of the month. The Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony, Solo continues for seven consecutive days. The festival of Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony is dedicated to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

It's begins at the midnight. The royal servants of Abdi Dalem take out a procession that leaves from the Kraton Ponconiti Hall. The procession marches with two sets of Gamelan being carried abreast. One of them is named Kyai Gunturmadu and the other one is Kyai Nogowilogo. The Gamelans are carried down to the Malioboro Street up to the Grand Mosque. Kyai Gunturmadu and Kyai Nogowilogo are played at the same time. They are plated till they are taken back to the Kraton Ponconiti Hall at midnight on the eleventh day of the month of Mulud. The festival of Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony concludes with the Gerebeg Maulud Ceremony. The Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony is celebrated with a particular belief. According to the local belief, celebrating the occasion of Sekaten and listening to playing of Gamelans will reward the participants with prosperity and sound health.

Commemoration of 1st Suro
In Central Java and in many places in the island even outside the island where live communities of Javanese lineage, a lot of people are commemorating the first of Suro, a day considered as sacred by many Javanese. They wish to 'ngalap berkah', to receive blessing from that great holy day. Some of them are doing 24 (twenty four) hours of fasting, stay awaken for the whole night, doing meditation in solitude.

Many places considered as having supernatural powers are visited by a huge crowd doing pilgrimage. Many climbers are on the top of mountain Lawu, eastward of Solo. Thousands pilgrims spend their night, without sleeping, on the south sea beach of Parang Tritis and Parang Kusumo in Yogyakarta. Mountain Dieng around 100 km southwest of Semarang are also plenty of visitors. Some springs and rivers are crowded with night bathers, the favorite places are the meeting of two rivers. Some bathers remain in the streams for several hours, only their heads appear above the water. Others remain awake until sunset on the riverbanks after bathing.

The graveyards of distinguished ancestors, kings or wise men are also plenty of pilgrims. Wayang kulit or wayangan (leather puppet) performances can be seen in many places of various cities and villages. Some believe that the best way to commemorate (Mangayu Bagyo) the 1st of Suro is by watching wayang kulit performance where the audience should receive some valuable advice on good conducts and spiritual teachings.

The Heirlooms Procession (Kirab Pusaka)
The Heirlooms Procession is a traditional event held by Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran Palaces to celebrate the Javanese New Year, the first of Asyura. The procession displays the royal heirlooms which are carried surround both the Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran Palaces by Royal Palaces Attendants wearing traditional Javanese court clothes. The ceremony begins at 7 PM in the Mangkunegaran Palace and at midnight in the Kasunanan Palace. A lot of people attending this parade, waiting along the streets, which are the route of the procession. It starts from Karaton to Alun-alun Utara (North Square) and then gladag, turn left to Pasar (market) Kliwon, Gading (South Square), Nonongan, North square again and back to Karaton. The leader (Cucuk Lampah) of Kasunanan procession is unique, it is a white buffalo, by the name of Kyai Slamet.

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Solo's Accommodation

Solo accommodation provides tourists with the perfect hotel facilities that make tours around Solo the more enjoyable. There are numerous Solo accommodations available for the tourists. There is something for every category of tourists. The hospitality sector of Solo offers luxury star hotels, mid-range hotels and cost-effective budget accommodations. You can find various Solo accommodations that have been tailor-made keeping your requirements and budget obligations in mind.

● Lor In Hotel Solo is a popular hotel in the city. Lor In Hotel is a five star hotel, which is equipped with 114 rooms. The Lor In Hotel offers is a wonderful Solo accommodation that is ideal for tourists and business travelers. The hotel is sure to provide with all the luxury and modern amenities. If you want some moments of relaxation and leisure, Lor In Hotel is the place to be in. Address: Jln Adisucipto No. 47 Kra, Solo 57174 Central Java, Indonesia. Phone: (62-271) 724500, Fax: (62-271) 724400.

● Location of Novotel Hotel is mere 15 minutes away from the Adisumarmo International Airport. The Solo Balapan Railway Station, on the other hand, is only 1 kilometer from the Novotel Hotel. The nearby attractions are Kasunanan Palace, Puro Mangkunegaran and Jurug Zoo. Travelers can choose any of the 142 accommodations in this four star Hotel in Solo City. The hotel gets this higher rating also because of its amenities. Address : Jln Slamet Riyadi 272, Solo, Indonesia, 57131. Phone: (62- 271) 724555, Fax: (62-271) 724666.

● The Sunan Hotel Solo is a four star hotel that offers unparallel facilities and services to the business as well as the leisure travelers which indeed sets it apart from other hotels in the city. Regarded one of the prominent Hotels in Indonesia, this hotel boasts of a superb range of Hotel Amenities and Services at Sunan Hotel Solo in Solo City as well as Room Facilities Sunan Hotel Solo in Solo City which is tailor made for your comfort. The Sunan Hotel Solo in Solo City provides a total of 139 guestrooms which comes in various kinds to suit the needs, preferences and budget of each guest. Address: Jl. Ahmad Yani 40 Solo 57143, Central Java, Indonesia. Phone: (+62-271) 731312, Fax: (+62-271) 738677.

● The Solo Inn provides fantastic range of accommodation facilities to fulfill all the comfort and leisure needs of the travelers. There are 32 fabulously equipped and tastefully decorated guestrooms of various kinds in the hotel which are sure to satisfy you. The Comfort Inn Solo is a three star hotel that promisingly stands up the standards of the comfort brand of hotels to offer superb accommodation facilities to the travelers. Address: Jln Slamet Riyadi 366 - Solo City 57141 Central Java Indonesia.

● Sahid Kusuma Hotel is a four star hotel and the most coveted of all the budget hotels in Solo city. This is especially so because of the comprehensive list of facilities and services offered by Sahid Kusuma Hotel in Solo. Its convenient location and affordable price tag make it particularly popular among the budget travelers visiting the city of Solo. The hotel amenities and services at Sahid Kusuma Hotel in Solo are ideal for both vacationers and business travelers. The Sahid Kusuma Hotel in Solo provides its guests with 121 comfortable guestrooms to choose from. Address: Jln Sugiyopranoto 20 Solo 57111, Central Java, Indonesia. Phone: (62-271) 46356, Fax: (62-271) 44788.

● The Sahid Raya Hotel offers smooth mix of topnotch amenities and services along with warm royal hospitality. Impeccable service and the warm welcome meted out by the Sahid Raya Hotel have made the hotel one of the best Hotels in Solo City in Indonesia. The beautifully crafted rooms of the Sahid Raya Hotel boast of traditional architecture. Address: Jln Gajah Mada 82, Solo 57132, Indonesia. Phone: (62-271) 44144, Fax: (62-271) 44133.

You can always choose your favorite place to stay in depending on your tastes and preferences. One can either choose a place with more of a personal touch to it or option for large venues. Solo is also home to many budget hotels and accommodations.

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Shopping and Gifts - Solo City

BATIK
● Klewer Market (Pasar Klewer)
It's the largest Batik market in Java, provides various kind of Batik from traditional to modern style. Located next to Alun-Alun Lor (Nothern Square) of the Kasunanan Palace. Open : 11.00 - 16.00 wib

● Ndalem Tjokrosoemartan
A beautiful historical house that has been restored by several generations of batik emporium family. It's the site of the first major batik produces & exporter in Indonesia, based in Solo. Located in Kampoeng Batik Laweyan. Open : by appoinment only, phone +62271-711011

● Kampoeng Batik Laweyan
This ancient area is famous for the biggest batik producing area since 1930. The street's names represent the batik motifs. Many beautiful houses hidden behind the high walls can be found within the area.

● Galery Ancient Batik Danar Hadi
Representing one of place which can be visited to witness the most complete ancient batik collection and batik making process. Located: Jln. Slamet Riyadi 261 Solo. Open : 09.00 - 16.00 wib, phone : +62271-714326

● Batik Keris
Another place which can be visited to witness the difference pattern of ancient batik collection. Located: Jln. Kom. Yos Sudarso 62 Solo. Open : 09.00 - 21.00 wib, phone : +62271-643243

TRIWINDU ANTIQUES MARKET
Located in front of Mangkunegaran Palace. Take a walk around dozens of shops located in this market. You would be surprised by the quality and beautiful designs of porcelain made dinner and tea sets; goblets; vases and other souvenirs. All the items sold here can be bargained. Do not however forget to negotiate before you pay for them. Open : 09.00 - 16.00 wib

DEPOK BIRD MARKET
You'll be surprised with the number of species of birds & other animal you can find here. Occasionally there are bird competitions held in the market.

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Cultural and Points of Interests - Solo City

KASUNANAN Palace (Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat)
Kasunanan Palace / Kraton Surakarta founded by Pakubuwono II in 1745. A royal heirloom, decorated with ancient relics, consist of art gallery and museum, exhibit many ancient precious antiques, traditional weapon such as daggers / keris.

MANGKUNEGARAN Palace (Puro Mangkunegaran)
The 2nd palace in Solo, with interesting traditional Javanese architecture. The Palace reserved priceless treasures, mostly from Majapahit & Mataram empire eras (1586 - 1755).

RADYA PUSTAKA Museum
The oldest museum in Central Java, located beside Sriwedari Park, featuring ancient stuff, such as keris, Dutch & Javanese books, etc.

JURUG Park
A recreational park consist of zoo & children playground. Located on the western bank of Bengawan Solo river.

SUKUH Temple
The Sukuh temple has a highly distinctive character, not to be found in any other shrines in Indonesia. Located on the slopes of mount Lawu, it consists of three terraces that resembles the architecture of the Incas. The first terrace is adorned by a carved Phallus aimed at Yoni, that depicts sexual relations & growth in the womb before birth. In Sukuh temple, visitors will enjoy many unique and erotic reliefs surrounded by a beautiful & impressing panorama.

CETO Temple
Dating from the 15th century, the Ceto temple located 12 km above the Sukuh temple. The journey to the temple is a trip for the real adventure along a winding road tea garden of Kemuning, rubbers forest and some Agro tourism up. The temple has fourteen terraces and it's architecturally reminiscent of ancient Aztec and Mayan culture of Central America.

TAWANG MANGU Resort
Just a few kilometers to the South of Sukuh Temple, this resort offers a cool and refreshing escape from Solo city life. Try the walk from here to the temple; it takes about 2 1/2 hours & takes you through monkey in-habited, forested hills pass the impressive Grojogan Sewu waterfall.

KEMUNING Agrotourism
Tea plantation area with a beautiful landscape, owned by PT. Kemuning Agrotourism. It's the right place to visit after breakfast in the sunny morning. This place, 38 km eastern of Solo or 8 km from Sukuh temple, at the slove of mount Lawu.

PENGGING Bathing Pool
(Pemandian Umbul Pengging)
It is located in Dukuh village, Banyudono subdistrict, 12 km from Boyolali city to the east. Years ago the Bathing Pool was privately used by Pakubuwono X and his royal family.

SELO Pass
A beautiful landscape between Merapi and Merbabu mountain, a short cut road from Solo to Borobudur temple. Very interesting and challenging.

SANGIRAN Museum
Less than 20 km to the north east of Solo is one of the world's riches beds of prehistoric fossils, at Sangiran. Human, animal & plant fossils dating back hundreds of thousands of years can be found lying around the area in great abundance; for more orderly viewing of preserved ancestors, check out the Sangiran Museum.

GAJAH MUNGKUR Dam (Waduk Gajah Mungkur)
In the early 1980's the Gajah Mungkur dam was built, forming a reservoir that sank 51 villages. Fortunately the population of 60.000 had been previously relocated to west Sumatera. The reservoir today is a great place to indulge in all sorts of watersports; boating, swimming, waterskiing & hang-gliding from the top of the hill near the dam.

GONG Cave (Goa Gong)
Gong cave has incredible ornaments which cannot be found in any other caves. This 256 mt underground cave, has 12 rooms, 7 springs & natural both. It's located about 7 km from Punung market on the way to Pacitan (70 km south-east of Solo). People believe that on a certain day of Friday, there is a traditional song called 'Jaranan' coming from the cave. Until now the song sometimes still can be heard. The sound of Gong (traditional drum) heard louder than others, that is why this cave is named Gong Cave.

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