Surakarta

Travel Guide
Photo by Sharrie Shaw

Where to stay in Surakarta

At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White!

I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik.

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making.

Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently.

After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired.

The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Solo City Centre

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and zoo in Solo City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Mangkunegaran Palace or Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall.

Solo City Centre
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White!

I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik.

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making.

Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently.

After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired.

The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Banjarsari

While visiting Banjarsari, you might make a stop by sights like Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Mangkunegaran Palace.

Banjarsari
The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection
The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection
5 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi No. 06, Surakarta, Central Java
The price is ₩40,306 per night from May 30 to May 31
₩40,306
per night
May 30 - May 31
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Mesjid Agung and Gede Market are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (144 reviews)
"Close to everywhere"

Reviewed on May 22, 2024

The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection
Novotel Solo
Novotel Solo
4 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi 272, Surakarta, Central Java
The price is ₩40,849 per night from Jun 1 to Jun 2
₩40,849
per night
Jun 1 - Jun 2
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (99 reviews)
"We have stayed at the Novotel in Solo several times and have always been happy with their service. There is a great little restaurant across the street—Alamama. It has western and Indonesian options. The restaurant at the hotel is always very good too."

Reviewed on Dec 23, 2023

Novotel Solo
ASTON Solo Hotel
ASTON Solo Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Jl. Brigjend. Slamet Riyadi, No. 373, Surakarta, Surakarta, Central Java
The price is ₩50,807 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
₩50,807
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Solo Square and Solo Paragon ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (91 reviews)
"Just one night, but the location, breakfast and service is excellent."

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2024

ASTON Solo Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel D'Madinah Inn - Gentan
Hotel D'Madinah Inn - Gentan
2 out of 5
57556 Cantika Pastika Mangesti, Baki, Jawa Tengah
Stay at this aparthotel in Baki. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Solo Square and UMS are located nearby.
Hotel D'Madinah Inn - Gentan
ZG Homestay Solo
ZG Homestay Solo
3 out of 5
1 Jl. Pajajaran, Surakarta, Jawa Tengah
Stay at this 3-star villa in Surakarta. Enjoy daily housekeeping, a garden, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Square ...
ZG Homestay Solo
Villa Matahari Tawangmangu powered by Cocotel
Villa Matahari Tawangmangu powered by Cocotel
2.5 out of 5
Jetis, Kalisoro, Kabupaten Karanganyar, Tawangmangu, Central Java
Stay at this villa in Tawangmangu. Enjoy free parking, balconies, and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Grojogan Sewu Wafterfall and Wisata Bukit Sekipan ...
Villa Matahari Tawangmangu powered by Cocotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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