Candi Ceto
Candi Sukuh
Keraton Kartasura
Mount Lawu
Sangiran
Sarangan
Solo Adventure
Tawangmangu

As much as Solo has to offer in terms of history and culture, it is refreshing to get out to the surrounding villages. Some of the most interesting places in this area are located up on the slopes of nearby Mt. Lawu, around Tawangmangu and Sarangan, just 42 km (25 miles) and 56 km (34 miles) to the east, respectively. The air here is cool and refreshing and the views down across the plains spectacular.

Heading east from Solo, the traffic subsides considerably once you cross the broad and sluggish Bengawan Solo River. Soon after crossing the bridge, the main road turns off to the left and a smaller road heads straight up the mountain. Beyond the town of Karanganyar, you are presented with a broad expanse of verdant rice and sugar cane fields. From here the road climbs and the air freshens while the views get better and better.

Beyond Karangpandan, a statue of Semar guards a small hilltop to the left of the road. There is a library and meditation room he owned by a well-to-do Jakartan. Further along is the Inri Center for Meditation and Kebatinan (spiritual power), a small temple called Candi Menggung, and a hot spring at Pablengan. After that the road twists and climbs steeply; buses crawl up the mountain belching black clouds of diesel exhaust, while others race down again at breakneck speeds.

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