Surakarta, more commonly referred to as “Solo”, is a big city that would deserve a separate article, but being just 60 km east of Yogyakarta, it's a good location for a day trip as well. It is easily reachable in about one hour by a comfortable train ride costing only 8.000 Rp to 11.000 Rp. Solo has been the eternal rival of Jogja, as a Mataram Sultanate, as a Javanese cultural center, as a student city and as a batik hub. There are several batik villages incorporated inside the city, Kauman and Laweyan being two of the most popular, where one can experience and learn about the traditional process of batik making.
Not to be missed is the Museum Batik Danar Hadi, a privately owned exhibition of 10.000 pieces from different ages, that can be visited only with a well worth guided tour. Don't come on Sunday if you want to visit the active workshop area as well.
Other attractions in Surakarta are the local Sultan Palace (Kraton) and the traditional markets where to experience local life. Since Surakarta as a consistent Chinese community, it's a good place to celebrate Chinese festivities.
The city of Solo can also be used as a starting point to visit Gunung Lawu, its tea plantations and the beautiful Hindu temples of Sukuh and Cetho.
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