Surakarta：Experience the Cultural and Traditional Diversity

Solo, also known as Surakarta is an attractive tourist destination for scholars of music and dance researchers. As a tourist, you can have fantastic opportunity to watch and participate in the traditional art performance, and craft works. Put your hands on Batik painting, one of the preserved cloth paint style which is very popular in the fashion circle. Surakarta is, undoubtedly the core center of Javanese culture, keeping its identity without letting the modernity creep in and dilute. The island put its best effort for maintaining the traditional lifestyle, holding the westernization efforts at bay. With vibrant nightlife, traditional markets, lavish shopping malls, Surakarta has much for a tourist who looks for leisure and happiness. You can throng into various temples, walk along the promenades, and the green hills of central Java. A fantastic experience is waiting for you.

1. Balekambang Park

It is a splendid city park, in the heart of Surakarta spread over 9.8 hectares, built in the year 1921 by KGPAA Mangkunegaran VII for his beloved two daughters. The park has two sections, named after the daughters GRAy Partini Hussein Djayaningrat and GRAy Partinah Sukanta and whose statues you can see in the park. The park is a home for numerous trees some of them are rare and very precious. Earlier it was a private park for the Balekambang family but later during the time of KGGPA Mangkunegaran VIII, the park opened for the public. The park hosts many festivals and some of them are Kethoprak Festival, Umbrella Festival, and the Children Games Festival. Previously, the park has been using only by the Surakarta citizen and presently attracts many foreign tourists. The park is open to the public without any entrance ticket.

2. Museum Batik Danar Hadi

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Batik is an Indonesian technique of dyeing the cloth using the hot wax. The Batik museum was built in 1967 by H. Santosa Doellah who wanted to preserve this art form. The museum is located at Slamet Riyadhi Street and contains batik displays from all over the places such as China, Sumater, Pekalongan and so on. MURI has also recognized the Batik museum for having the most substantial number of batik collection. The museum also showcases the process of making batik in the workshop. There are also textiles with batik prints on sale which you can buy as souvenirs.

3. Cetho Temple

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The 15th-century Cetho Temple built during Majapahit rule stands as an unusual craftwork portraying ancient Javanese Hindu civilization. Cetho temple also known as Candi Ceto in the country was constructed by the last Hindu ruler Brawijaya V who traveled by foot to Mount Lawu to build this temple. The temple is of enormous significance for Hindus living in Indonesia as it is one of the main temples in the country existing just before the country embraced Islam religion. Located 1400 m above the sea level, on the western slopes of Mount Lawu. In order to reach the temple, one must go through forest and tea plantation surrounding it.

4. Sukuh Temple

The 15th-century Cetho Temple built during Majapahit rule stands as an unusual craftwork portraying ancient Javanese Hindu civilization. Cetho temple also known as Candi Ceto in the country was constructed by the last Hindu ruler Brawijaya V who traveled by foot to Mount Lawu to build this temple. The temple is of enormous significance for Hindus living in Indonesia as it is one of the main temples in the country existing just before the country embraced Islam religion. Located 1400 m above the sea level, on the western slopes of Mount Lawu. In order to reach the temple, one must go through forest and tea plantation surrounding it.

5. Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace

Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace is basically a Javanese Monarchy located in Surakarta city. Mostly destroyed by fire in the year 1985, it required a lot of restoration. The palace was built in the year 1745 by then ruler Pakubuwono II. The palace got many exotic and beautiful sculptures along with ancient weapons. The residing place of King is not open for public, but there are other interesting places you can see such as the museum in Kasunanan area and Sanggabuwana tower. Often, traditional ceremonies and dances take place in the palace like Suro Night to celebrate Javanese New year and Sekaten which celebrates Muhammad’s birthday.

6. Jumog Waterfall

The beautiful Jumog waterfall is located in the Berjo village, on the slopes of Mount Lawu. The height of the waterfall is about 25 m, and it divides into twin waterfall. A swimming pool for children is also built near the waterfall. It is said that the water of Jumog sparkles like a diamond. Only personal vehicles can take inside to the waterfall premises. Overall, it’s a very relaxing place with natural beauty which will give you mesmerizing experience. It is one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia.

7. Sriwedari Park

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Sriwedari is a 30 year old amusement park which got something for adults as well as children and is located in the city of Surakarta in Central Java. The park is known for its performance of Wayng orang, which is basically a Javanese traditional dance and music performance. The dance depicts some episodes taken from the Hindu mythological book of Ramayana or Mahabharata. The performance happens every night after 8 p.m. and ends at midnight. There are rides for children, a playground and a museum. However, recently the government has decided to close this park and build a mosque here instead.

8. Pandawa Water World

Pandawa water world is the only water world in the Surakarta City. The water park was opened in the year 2007 and since then it has been a popular tourist destination for local as well as international tourists. The water park’s design is in line with the ancient Javanese Wayang figures. There are more than 20 attractive water slides in Pandawa such as Bima slide, Fantastic slide, and Raft slide and so on. Probably the most popular site is the Kresna wave pool which got artificial waves which can make you feel like you are on a sea beach. The food supplied in the food court is good and very economical.

9. Museum Radya Pustaka

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Radya Pustaka museum has an ancient history, built in the year 1890 by Kanjeng Sosriningrat IV of Pakubowono IX, and it is one of the oldest museums in Indonesia. It is very close to Sriwedari Park and located in the Surakarta city. Later, the museum moved to its current location in the year 1913, previously owned by Johannes Busselar who was a Dutchman. The museum is the second oldest museum of Indonesia, the oldest being National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta. It has many collections of antiques and interesting artifacts, books, photos, weapons, clothes and leather puppet. It also has valuable literature in the Dutch and the old Javanese language.

10. Pura Mangkunegaran

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Pura Mangkunegaran has a long history dated back to 1757, built during the rule of Mangkunegaran I, where you can find the royal family members still living in the palace. Only part of the palace is open to the public and is an interesting place to enjoy the Javanese architectures and traditional art forms. The interior of the palace has mesmerizing European designs are a magnificent visual treat. The interior of the palace got a central flame around which you can find several Javanese paintings. The compound has a pendepo, which is a pavilion constructed in a mix of European and Javanese style. Behind the palace is the dalem, a museum for the tourists. Most of the showcased artifacts belong to the Mangkunegaran VII. On display are jewelry, genital covers, mask collection and dresses for royal dancers. While traveling the museum, make sure you hire a guide which will be helpful to understand the palace and customs. Don’t miss the Mangkunegaran Royal Dinner.

◎ Closing

Surakarta is a beautiful city with an exciting History and vast culture. It was once the royal capital of the Java's Indonesian island. Just like it's ‘twin sister' Yogyakarta, Surakarta is also famous for its monarchy history. Earlier people prefer to visit Surakarta for business rather than tourism. But with time, perception is changing and Surakarta is getting the praise and attention that it deserves. One should not drop out the opportunity to visit the beautiful city as it is also famous for its loving and accommodative locals. Surakarta is the center of Javanese culture, and one must experience in their lifetime. Taste the soul of Surakarta, never forget to taste Dawet, a drink made with coconut milk and brown-Javanese sugar and gelatin.