Tucked away in the heart of Java within the country of Indonesia, is the timid yet captivating city of Surakarta, more commonly known as Solo. This tiny and often overlooked city has no shortage of culture, heritage or culinary intrigue. Solo also happens to be the birthplace of Indonesia’s current president, Joko Widodo. Solo is also the birthplace of Batik, an infamous type of cloth that is traditional to South-East Asia which consists of applying a wax-resist dye to cloth. The workmanship required in the creation of Batik is incredibly high, and westerners are easily mesmerized by the unique patterns that are a result of this ancient practice.
If one wishes to experience Solo, there is an assortment of accommodation options available. An option that stands out in particular is the world of Solo Hotels, is the Alila Solo, which is expected to set a landmark in luxury upon its opening in November. There are many unique places to visit when exploring the various wonders of Solo, but one that stands out in particular for its cultural heritage and visual exuberance is the Matah Ati performance, which depicts the true story of a local warrior-lady who was famous for her beauty as well as her combat expertise. The show is a visual spectacle which features up to two hundred and fifty dancers on stage utilizing extravagant set pieces and pyrotechnics. If one becomes curious about the local performing arts after checking out the Matah Ati, you can visit one of Solo’s many work-shops and witness the creation of their local instruments, which are born out of the union of bronze, fire and welding equipment. These instruments range from gongs to more traditional components of a Javanese Orchestra.
If one is to become hungry, there are various outlets where you can experience the culinary heritage of Solo, and Indonesia at large. A staple is the Es Masuk restaurant which is a one-stop restaurant to experience local cuisine at its best. Take a visit to Solo, and indulge in the cultural heritage of Indonesia.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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