Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro, SurakartaPasar Gede Hardjonagoro, Surakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pasar_Gede_Solo#mediaviewer/File:Pasar_Gedhe_2009_Bennylin_04.jpg
Author: Bennylin
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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.

Solo Grand Mall, SurakartaSolo Grand Mall, Surakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Solo_Grand_Mall#mediaviewer/File:Solo_Grand_Mall_2011_Bennylin_02.jpg
Author: Bennylin
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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.

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.

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 SurakartaThe Keraton (palace) of Surakarta
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portal_Karaton_Surakarta.jpg
Author: Meursault2004
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Places of Interest in Solo

  1. Bengawan Solo River
    View the longest river in Java.
  2. Candi Ceto
    Ancient temple located in the mountains near Solo.
  3. Candi Sukuh Solo
    Ancient temple located at a height of 910 meters on the slopes of Gunung Lawu, a mountain in Solo.
  4. Jurug Zoo
    A local zoo.
  5. Kasunanan Palace
    Ancient palace built in 1675.
  6. 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.
  7. Puro Mangkunegaran Palace
    A beautiful palace in the heart of Solo built in 1757.
  8. Sahasra Adhi Pura
    Javanese Hindu temple.
  9. Sangiran Museum and Early Man Site
    Museum at the archaeological site of the Java Man.
  10. Sriwedari Amusement Park
    A theme park for the locals, with rides, cultural shows, playground, and more.

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About this website



Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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