Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine February 2019 | Page 92

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Travel | Solo
of the city, as does Mangkunegaran Palace,
built in 1757, where you can also experience
a royal dinner with the Mangkunegaran
Royal Dinner tourist package. Kampung
Batik Laweyan (batik village) has been Solo’s
main attraction since the 19 th century. Here,
you can enjoy a two-hour course on how to
make batik, or load up with gifts from the
beautiful batik collections on display.
If you’re keen to get out of the city
for a while and explore further afield,
head to the picturesque Jumog Waterfall
in Karanganyar District, just 40km from
Solo. ‘The Lost Paradise’ includes a series of
cascades that are safe for kids to play around,
and the area also offers many other natural
There is also an attractive combination
of natural beauty, heritage and a sense of
creativity at Umbul Ponggok, in Ponggok
Village, Klaten District, around 25km from
Solo. Built in 1920, the spring pond used
as a water reservoir during the Dutch era
is now a swimming pool replenished by
the surrounding natural springs. You can
rent an underwater camera and pose for a
picture perched on a sunken motorcycle or
Vespa, or on a submerged bench, while
surrounded by a school of colourful fish.
Another unmissable Instagram moment!
Combining the buzz of a modern city and
the rich culture of its past, Solo never stops
providing something special and in-the-now
to keep visitors coming back. This month,
the city is hosting the Solo Great Sale, which
continues throughout February in all malls,
to ensure travellers and locals alike can
satisfy their every retail whim. February
also brings the month-long Imlek Festival,
enlivening the metropolis with cultural
shows, bazaars and thousands of lanterns
installed in Pasar Gede to create a wonderful
nightly spectacle.
Finally, to commemorate Solo’s 274 th
anniversary, the city celebrates with the
Jenang Festival on February 17. Jenang
(its namesake is a glutinous rice porridge
served with brown sugar and coconut milk)
is made in red and white to represent the
Indonesian national flag and symbolises
cultural, spiritual and traditional values,
in support of family welfare. A carnival
is also held along Jalan Slamet Riyadi
to Balai Kota (City Hall) on February 17.
The event will include the enactment of
an epic drama called Adeging Kutha Sala,
about the founding of Solo, with performing
arts, colourfully costumed dancers
and traditional music. Prepare your
camera and your enthusiasm!
With such an abundance of intriguing
tourist attractions, and a busy events
calendar, Solo is a destination that is difficult
to describe. It’s a satisfying mix of old and
new, brimming with vibrant urban culture,
culinary gems and delightful distractions,
with a new surprise around every corner.
Our advice? Get on a plane and experience it.
Held around Pasar Gede
Hardjonagoro, a lively Grebeg
Sudiro carnival showcases lots
of street performances to
thousands of spectators.
It’s a satisfying mix
of old and new, brimming
with vibrant urban
culture, culinary
gems and delightful
distractions...
and heritage tourist attractions, including
Grojogan Sewu Waterfall, Bale Kambang
Park, Bukit Sekipan Hill, Sukuh Temple,
Cetho Temple, Kemuning Tea Plantation
and much more.