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Formerly known as Surakarta, Solo used to be the centre of power during the glory days of the great Javanese Kingdoms. Though a larger town than Yogyakarta; there is a small town like feeling about Solo. With the remains of two palaces and a couple of temples scattered in the vicinity, Solo exudes a nostalgic feeling. The attraction of historical palaces and temples combined with a lush scenic landscape is what has made Solo a chosen vacation spot in Indonesia. People from all over the world visit this tranquil location to enjoy a peaceful tour amidst the historical ruins. To facilitate easy arrival of tourists, getting to Solo is possible by air, bus and train as well. The easiest and most time efficient way to get to Solo is by air. Located 10 km north of Solo, Adisumarmo International Airport is a small airport with only 8 daily flights linking Solo to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta. Though the airport mainly handles domestic traffic, the maiden international airliner that ferry passengers from Singapore to Solo is Silk Air. Alternately, you can fly directly to Adisucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta. Located just 60 km away from there, Solo can be easily reached by road within an hour or so. Solo can be reached from any parts of Indonesia by bus too. The nearest bus terminus in Solo is located 12 kilometers west of the town centre. A one way bus trip from Jakarta takes around 10 hours. A taxi ride to Solo from Adisucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta is another way to reach this historical town. Getting to Solo by train is a faster as well as comfortable alternative to a tiring bus ride. Express trains like Argo Lawu, Argo Dwipangga, Bima and Gajayana take around 8 hours to cover the distance between Jakarta and Solo. The local trains however take much longer with frequent stops. The main train station is Solobalapan; though other stations like Purwosari and Solojebres are also there.
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