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 Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall or Keprabon Park.

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 Balekambang City Park.

Banjarsari
Alila Solo, Java

Alila Solo, Java

5 out of 5
Jl. Slamet Riyadi No. 562 Surakarta Central Java
The price is NT$1,662 per night from Nov 23 to Nov 24
NT$1,662
NT$2,011 total
Nov 23 - Nov 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Solo Square and UMS are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (132 reviews)
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Reviewed on 2025/5/5

Alila Solo, Java
Novotel Solo

Novotel Solo

4 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi 272 Surakarta Central Java
The price is NT$1,113 per night from Dec 21 to Dec 22
NT$1,113
NT$1,347 total
Dec 21 - Dec 22
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Danar Hadi and Radya Pustaka Museum are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (113 reviews)
I like to staying in this place very nice people.

Reviewed on 2025/8/29

Novotel Solo
Moxy Solo

Moxy Solo

3.5 out of 5
Jl. Slamet Riyadi No.173, Kemlayan, Solo, Jawa Tengah, Surakarta, Central Java
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$1,117 per night from Nov 27 to Nov 28
NT$1,117
NT$1,352 total
Nov 27 - Nov 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Radya Museum Library and Mangkunegaran ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7 reviews)
It was a chic and clean hotel in the center of the city. The staff was very friendly.

Reviewed on 2024/12/28

Moxy Solo
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.
ZG Homestay Solo

ZG Homestay Solo

3 out of 5
1 Jl. Pajajaran Surakarta Jawa Tengah
Stay at this villa in Surakarta. Enjoy daily housekeeping, a garden, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Square are ...
ZG Homestay Solo
ZG Home Solo

ZG Home Solo

2 out of 5
No.8-4 Jl. Pajajaran I Surakarta Jawa Tengah
Stay at this villa in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall are located nearby.
ZG Home Solo
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
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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