Surakarta Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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 (written batik), is drawn using only the canting. The cloth need to be drawn on both sides and dipped in a dye bath three to four times. The whole process may take up to a year; it yields considerably finer patterns than stamped batik. Source: Wikipedia
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 (written batik), is drawn using only the canting. The cloth need to be drawn on both sides and dipped in a dye bath three to four times. The whole process may take up to a year; it yields considerably finer patterns than stamped batik. Source: Wikipedia

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(4 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 Nakamura Klinik.

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

If you're spending some time in Banjarsari, Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Balekambang City Park are top sights worth seeing.

Banjarsari
Alila Solo, Java

Alila Solo, Java

5 out of 5
Jl. Slamet Riyadi No. 562 Surakarta Central Java
The price is ₹5,005 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
₹5,005
₹6,056 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Solo Square and UMS are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (136 reviews)
By far the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed in. Everything is thoughtfully arranged, spotlessly clean and athletically pleasing. The service is also excellent in every way.

Reviewed on 27 Dec 2025

Alila Solo, Java
The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection

The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection

5 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi No. 06 Surakarta Central Java
The price is ₹2,584 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
₹2,584
₹3,126 total
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Mesjid Agung and Gede Market are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (166 reviews)
It’s our third times staying at Heritage for the last 6 years love the location, friendly staff and great breakfast. It’s good to know the hotel is practicing eco system. My disappointment was there is no hand towels and extra toilet paper(I have to request them). The bath M

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2025

The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection
Moxy Solo

Moxy Solo

3.5 out of 5
Jl. Slamet Riyadi No.173, Kemlayan Surakarta Central Java
The price is ₹3,206 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
₹3,206
₹3,880 total
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Radya Museum Library and Mangkunegaran Palace ...
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 28 Dec 2024

Moxy Solo
See all 309 properties in Surakarta
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 bike hire on-site. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Square are located ...
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 Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall are located nearby.
ZG Home Solo
Diiza Glamping Tawangmangu

Diiza Glamping Tawangmangu

3 out of 5
Area Hutan, Kalisoro Tawangmangu Jawa Tengah
Stay at this villa in Tawangmangu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private pools. Popular attractions Wisata Bukit Sekipan and Grojogan Sewu Wafterfall are ...
Diiza Glamping Tawangmangu
See all properties in Surakarta
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.

Popular places to visit

Universitas Sebelas Maret

Explore the campus of Universitas Sebelas Maret during your trip to Surakarta. Take in the musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Universitas Sebelas Maret

UMS

Learn about the local history of Kartosuro when you spend time at UMS.

UMS

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

During your trip to Surakarta, you can enjoy retail therapy at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Explore the campus of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta during your visit to Kartosuro.

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Kraton Surakarta

You can learn about the history of Surakarta with a visit to Kraton Surakarta. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Kraton Surakarta

Mangkunegaran Palace

Mangkunegaran Palace is just one of the places to see in Surakarta, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Mangkunegaran Palace

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