From exploring the area’s tragic World Warfare II historical past to mountain climbing by means of epic nationwide parks, right here’s our listing of the very best issues to do in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Tourism in Thailand has been rising exponentially for many years due to its various vary of epic landscapes, scrumptious meals, fascinating tradition, and pleasant folks.
Locations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are amongst the preferred spots to go to, and it’s not unusual for vacationers to return to those similar locations yr after yr.
Having spent nearly 9 months whole in Thailand, we’ve been fortunate sufficient to get fairly in-depth into the nation.
And each time we return, we fall an increasing number of in love with the brand new locations we get to find.
For those who love exploring areas which can be a bit extra off the overwhelmed path although, or simply anybody that loves a mixture of pure marvel and historical past, Kanchanaburi has been rising on the listing of high locations to go to in Thailand.
High 11 Issues to Do in Kanchanaburi
Situated within the central-western a part of the nation, just a few hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is a splendid vacation spot to spend anyplace from a number of days to every week.
With dense nationwide parks which can be nonetheless dwelling to wild tigers and elephants, quaint farming villages that beg to be explored on bicycles, proper as much as among the most attention-grabbing (and tragic) World Warfare II historical past monuments within the nation, there’s no scarcity of Kanchanaburi points of interest to maintain you busy.
There may be the beautiful Erawan Nationwide Park, in addition to the Dying Railway Museum and the Kanchanaburi Warfare Cemetery and different unbelievable points of interest.
Right here’s our listing of the very best issues to do in Kanchanaburi in your subsequent journey.
READ MORE: Right here’s our final information to travelling in Thailand.
Stroll Over the Bridge over the River Kwai
Some of the iconic locations to go to in Kanchanaburi is the Bridge over the River Kwai, and that is the place most individuals begin their exploration of the realm.
This bridge was constructed throughout World Warfare II and is the image most related to the notorious Burma Railway.
Initially constructed by Allied prisoners of battle in 1942 and 1943, the Bridge over the River Kwai wasn’t really crucial factor of the railway in the course of the combating.
In reality, its declare to fame was being the one metal bridge the Japanese commissioned to construct in Thailand (the remaining have been timber).
It was solely when the Hollywood film, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai‘ got here out that it was immortalized, and the inflow of vacationers that got here looking for the bridge really inspired the locals to vary the title of the river from Mae Klong to Kwae Yai.
Right this moment the bridge stands as a reminder of this historical past, and each day a whole lot of individuals stroll throughout its size to create their very own recollections of the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Out of all Kanchanaburi points of interest, the Bridge on the River Kwai is essentially the most well-known one.
Go to the Kanchanaburi Warfare Cemetery
Throughout the building of the Burma Railway, over 100’000 folks misplaced their lives, together with 12’000 prisoners-of-war and greater than 90’000 civilian labourers.
The loss of life toll throughout this two-year interval is tough to grasp, particularly whenever you soak up that almost all of those that perished have been civilians, pressured into slavery by the Japanese troopers.
You may not need to spoil your temper when on vacation by visiting websites that inform such painful tales, however it’s vital to honor and bear in mind the fallen. This is among the most vital issues to see in Kanchanaburi, should you want to perceive the locals a bit extra.
Out of the foreigners who by no means lived to see the top of the battle, greater than half of them are buried within the metropolis at Kanchanaburi Warfare Cemetery, also referred to as Don-Rak.
6982 prisoners-of-war from a mixture of nationalities are buried on the Kanchanaburi Warfare Cemetery, primarily being Australians, British and Dutch.
For these trying to pay their respects to the fallen, Kanchanaburi Warfare Cemetery is the primary place to take action.
The troopers’ graves are set in rows, and is maintained by the Commonwealth Warfare Graves Fee.
For those who do go to, please present some respect to the deceased. We noticed a number of folks stepping over graves, waving selfie sticks round and yelling throughout the cemetery to their mates. This isn’t cool behaviour.
Trip the Thai-Burma Railway (Dying Railway)
The Thai-Burma Railway was dubbed the Dying Railway by the POWs and labourers who have been pressured to construct it, and also you don’t want a lot of an creativeness to understand why.
The 415km-long Dying Railway prepare monitor joined Ban Pong in Thailand with Thanbyuzayat in Burma (now Myanmar) over extremely tough terrain.
The British had plans to construct this railway for years however deserted it because of the problem and intense labour that might be required to finish it.
When the Japanese invaded Thailand, they set about to realize what the British couldn’t by constructing the bridge – and it took them 12 months.
After the battle, the Dying Railway was closed down in 1947, however a piece of it reopened a decade later.
Right this moment you’ll be able to experience the Dying Railway from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok on a scenic and sluggish 2-hour journey.
You’ll cross by means of sprawling farmland, alongside the sting of steep cliffs, by means of deep cuttings and alongside the shores of the Khwae Yai River.
Using the Dying Railway is among the foremost issues to do in Kanchanaburi, and you should purchase your tickets on the prepare station. It actually provides a dose of pleasure to Kanchanaburi sightseeing.
You can even go to the Dying Railway Museum to study extra. Additionally referred to as the Thailand Burma Railway Centre, the interactive Dying Railway Museum tells the historical past of the well-known landmark.
Take a look at this superior 1-day tour the place you’ll study extra about how the “Dying Railway” got here to be and see in particular person the long-lasting bridge over the River Kwai Yai.
NOMADasaurus Tip – Sit on the lefthand facet of the Dying Railway prepare for the very best views.
Discover Tham Krasae
After an hour or so on the Burma Railway you come to a bit of station at Lum Sum.
Right here you’ll discover the cave referred to as Tham Krasae (Tham means collapse Thai), a big limestone cavern that has been crammed with Buddha statues.
The prepare will cease at Lum Sum, giving passengers a couple of minutes to take a look at Tham Krasae and the views alongside the bridge.
It’s not as spectacular as among the different Buddha caves you discover in different places round Thailand, however it’s value trying out in the course of the cease.
Don’t dawdle although, because the prepare will depart with out you.
Be taught the Historical past at Hellfire Move Memorial Museum
Within the city of Sai Yok, simply north of Nam Tok, you’ll discover the implausible Hellfire Move Memorial Museum and interpretive centre. It’s a Kanchanaburi should see for all historical past fanatics!
This museum, constructed by the Australian authorities, is among the greatest we now have seen in Thailand, and it’s crammed with haunting footage and movies of circumstances the POWs have been pressured to dwell in throughout World Warfare II.
Listening to the testimonials of the previous troopers is extremely unhappy, however it additionally provides an perception into simply how sturdy the camaraderie of the ANZACs was.
The museum is positioned above Hellfire Move, a deep rock slicing that the Burma Railway passes proper by means of.
This explicit level was thought-about to be one of many deadliest and most tough sections of all the building, and at this time a memorial stroll has been constructed to permit travellers to wander by means of its harrowing pathway.
We advocate getting the audio information from the museum so you’ll be able to hearken to tales of what it was like in Hellfire Move when you stroll by means of.
For those who look fastidiously you’ll even see remnants of the hand instruments utilized by the POWs buried into the rocks.
No listing of what to do in Kanchanaburi is full with no go to to this centre.
Keep in a Floating Raft Home
One of many best possible Kanchanaburi actions you’ll be able to take pleasure in is to spend the night time in a bamboo floating raft home.
The title provides it away – this distinctive lodging model is sort of actually floating on the River Kwai, anchored to the shore however bobbing gently because the water rushes by.
You can not get any extra waterfront than this. You cross a small bridge to get to your particular person rooms, that are tastefully adorned and include personal ensuite.
The again sliding door opens to your individual personal balcony overlooking the jungle and mountains throughout the opposite facet of the river.
We personally stayed in Boutique Raft Home and completely beloved it. Don’t journey to Kanchanaburi with out reserving an evening right here!
Wat Sam Prasop (the Sunken Temple), in Sangkhla Buri
Two hours up the freeway from Hellfire Move is the city of Sangkhla Buri, set on the northern fringe of the Khao Laem Reservoir.
Sangkhla Buri is a well-liked vacation spot for Thais who need to expertise a relaxed, genuine way of life that has been misplaced within the huge cities, however it’s nonetheless off the radar for many overseas vacationers.
The city has plenty of points of interest, with the preferred one being the well-known sunken temple, Wat Sam Prasop.
Within the Nineteen Eighties the Vajiralongkorn hydroelectric dam was constructed, flooding the area and creating the Khao Laem Reservoir.
A number of villages have been destroyed within the lowlands, and among the temples have been both absolutely or partially submerged.
Right this moment when the lake is low you’ll be able to see the tops of a few of these temples protruding from the floor, and they’re an intriguing place to go to.
Wat Sam Prasop is essentially the most distinguished of those sunken temples, and the furthest away from city.
Near Wat Sam Prasop is a bigger temple on excessive floor that’s slowly collapsing, and you’ll stroll round to verify this out.
One of many different temples you’ll be able to go to is up on a hill, and has been slowly taken over by timber. It has a Tomb Raider really feel about it.
You possibly can e-book a sunken temple tour on the Mon Bridge, the place a neighborhood will take you out on their boat to go to the underwater temples in addition to those on land.
Throughout our time in Sangklha Buri, we stayed on the Samprasob Resort, which was very near the Mon Bridge and had nice services (and views).
Mon Bridge for Dawn
Essentially the most iconic attraction in Sangkhla Buri is the 400m-long Mon Bridge, the longest handmade timber bridge in all the nation.
Strolling throughout this bridge is a should for any time of day, however it’s particularly magical within the morning for dawn when the monks come down to gather alms from the locals.
The streets are lined with individuals who wake early to offer meals and donations to the Buddhist monks.
It’s a really previous custom, and whereas it’s been became a vacationer attraction in some locations like Luang Prabang, right here in Sangkhla Buri it has stored its authenticity.
If you wish to participate you should purchase alms to offer to the monks from distributors on the road.
We discovered the ceremony on the southern facet of the bridge, within the Mon Village, was extra attention-grabbing and vigorous.
Go to a Waterfall (Kroeng Krawia Waterfall or Erawan Falls)
Off the 323 freeway on the way in which south of Sangkhla Buri is the picturesque Kroeng Krawia waterfalls.
Situated on the sting of the Khao Laem Nationwide Park, the Kroeng Krawia falls are fairly actually on the facet of the street, so there’s no excuse to not cease and go for a stroll by means of them.
The river right here flows over plenty of small limestone rocks, and the encircling jungle provides it a surprising ambiance.
It’s not as spectacular as Erawan Falls, however it’s an excellent place to wander round, stretch the legs and take some footage.
There’s a bit of cafe close to the primary entrance that serves nice espressos as effectively.
An alternative choice is taking a day journey to Erawan Nationwide Park which is only one hour from Kanchanaburi.
Erawan Falls is among the space’s most beautiful waterfalls, and there are some superb pure sights and mountain climbing trails in Erawan Nationwide Park.
Guide this superb 3-day tour the place you will notice all of the vital highlights equivalent to bridge over the River Kwai, Hellfire Move, Erawan Falls and the floating market!
Or you’ll be able to simply e-book a at some point tour to Erawan Nationwide Park and Falls which incorporates the River Kwai. This one is a bit cheaper because it’s only a day journey!
Keep in a Homestay in Baan Nong Khao Village
Simply exterior of Kanchanaburi metropolis is the quaint little village of Baan Nong Khao.
This farming village is the type of place the place you’re extra prone to encounter cows on the street than folks, and that’s completely high quality by us.
You possibly can really keep the night time in Baan Nong Khao in one of many nicest little homestays we’ve skilled in years, Baan Klang Thung Natural Farm Homestay.
This beautiful guesthouse is run by the friendliest household ever, and so they completely love having guests stick with them.
Their property is admittedly fairly, with a pleasant backyard and sitting space to calm down in throughout these sizzling summer time days.
We stayed within the upstairs loft, which was fairly comfy with an open-roof toilet connected.
Additionally they make some scrumptious meals right here, and we have been even allowed to come back into the kitchen to assist out making dinner. For those who ever want an excellent Tom Kha Gai, we’re professionals now!
Whereas we have been staying on the guesthouse we rented some bicycles off of them, and rode into Nong Khao city to take a look at among the points of interest.
The primary factor to see there may be Wat Intharam, a big Buddhist complicated, however there’s additionally a conventional loom home and plenty of attention-grabbing again alleys.
We beloved our time staying on the Baan Klang Thung Natural Farm Homestay, and extremely advocate it when travelling to Kanchanaburi.
Right here’s a first rate submit with info on tips on how to e-book the homestay.
Tham Than Lod Nationwide Park
The Chaloem Rattanakosin Nationwide Park, identified to most locals as Tham Than Lod, is a wild, magnificent place a number of hours north of Kanchanaburi.
Once we say wild, we imply wild. There are nonetheless elephants and tigers wandering round within the highlands, and it’s not unusual for villagers residing contained in the park to be continuously visited by these charming animals.
Most vacationers although received’t get the prospect to see tigers or elephants within the wild, so as a substitute they’ll should accept mountain climbing by means of among the most lovely forests we’ve seen in all of Thailand.
The Tham Than Lod Nationwide Park has plenty of mountain climbing trails that twist their means by means of the realm, in addition to plenty of caves to discover.
The preferred path goes by means of Tham Than Lod Noi, an extended limestone cave that has a boardwalk put in proper by means of it.
It’s lit in the course of the day so you’ll be able to stroll to the top with out the necessity for flashlights.
The stalactites and stalagmites aren’t as huge as another caves we’ve seen in Southeast Asia, however it’s nonetheless very spectacular.
When you stroll by means of Tham Than Lod Noi you comply with the path as much as a swimming gap, and might then push on to a big waterfall.
Past that you simply come throughout a whole lot of timber steps that take you excessive into the mountains. It’s a exercise on the legs, however positively value it for what lies on the high.
The views from the highest of the staircase are fantastic, however should you go a bit of bit additional you’ll discover Tham Than Lod Yai.
This monumental cave rises above the jungle, permitting passage by means of as if it was a tunnel, and has an unbelievable opening the place the ceiling has collapsed.
When you get previous the cave there’s a small Buddhist monastery on the high, however it’s extra purposeful versus touristy.
All up the hike shouldn’t take greater than two hours one-way. We organised a carry to the highest with one of many park rangers and walked downhill.
If you wish to do one thing totally different in comparison with all the opposite vacationers ticking off issues to do in Kanchanaburi, this nationwide park is a good place to go to.
Kanchanaburi Journey Information
A go to to Kanchanaburi throughout your journey to Thailand is a marvellous strategy to spend a part of your vacation, and we’re so glad we headed right here.
Listed below are some journey ideas that will help you plan your trip when in search of the very best issues to do in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
The right way to Get to Kanchanaburi
Our information to the easiest way to get across the area. For inside transport in Thailand, we advocate reserving forward with 12go.asia.
Flying
The closest main airport to Kanchanaburi is in Bangkok, the place they’ve each a global and home airport.
It’s a serious hub, servicing locations all world wide. When you land in Bangkok you’ll be able to both take a taxi to Kanchanaburi or use one of many different strategies of transport under.
Buses
Kanchanaburi could be very effectively related with the remainder of Thailand by means of their expansive bus community.
From Bangkok, you’ll be able to take buses from both the Sai Tai Mai (Southern) or Morchit (Northern) terminals. Count on to pay round 120THB for the 4-hour journey.
You can even take lengthy buses from Chiang Mai, or come from throughout the border in Myanmar on the Pum Nam Ron border crossing.
Trains
By far essentially the most comfy strategy to get to Kanchanaburi is to take the prepare.
Trains depart from Thonburi (Bangkok Noi) prepare station for Kanchanaburi, and can take 3-4 hours.
Finest Time to Go to Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi has two foremost seasons – winter (dry) and summer time (moist).
The most effective time to go to Kanchanaburi is indubitably from November to February, when temperatures are a lot milder.
For those who select to journey in the course of the summer time, Might to September, anticipate the mercury to hit over 40 levels and have very excessive humidity.
The shoulder seasons (March/April and October) are additionally good instances to go to, as you’ll discover many lodging have cheaper costs nonetheless, and the climate is far more manageable in comparison with summer time.
DISCLAIMER: Among the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks, which suggests should you e-book lodging, excursions or purchase a product, we are going to obtain a small fee at no additional value to you. These commissions assist us preserve creating extra free journey content material to assist folks plan their holidays and adventures. We solely advocate the very best lodging, excursions and merchandise that ourselves or our implausible editorial staff have personally skilled, and often evaluation these. Thanks on your assist, form buddy!