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Kanchanaburi
Thailand’s Intriguing Province
Kanchanaburi is a town in a province by the same name, and is located around 130 km to the west of Bangkok in Thailand, at the point where the Khwae Noi River and Khwae Yai River flow into the Mae Klong River.
 It gained fame due to
The Bridge over the River Kwai,
which features in a novel by French author Pierre Boulle and the World War II movie by David Lean that is based on the book. The town has several war memorials, museums, natural sights and other attractions of interest for tourists. There are many choices for accommodation in the area, ranging from
luxury resort hotels
to
budget hotels
that maybe more suitable for backpackers.
Since the area lies in the shadow region of the nearby mountain range, which protects it from the eastern monsoon, it is relatively less prone to precipitation compared to other parts of Thailand.
The weather
is usually hot and humid for the majority of the year, with the coolest weather between the months of November and January every year. The summer months however can be sweltering.
One of the main reasons that tourists come to Kanchanaburi is due to the offering of attractions that cannot be found elsewhere in Thailand.
 There are several unique places to see, from scenic natural beauty to sites of historical significance. Among the most common
things to do in Kanchanaburi
is to visit the war museums and cemeteries in the area, to pay respects to the hundreds of World War II prisoners of war who are buried there. Besides this, the mountainous region presents several beautiful natural parks that are worth visiting.
Since there are several sightseeing options for tourists, the best way to plan a travel itinerary is by opting for one of the
sightseeing tours.
Depending on the number of days that are available for visiting tourist attractions, there are options of half day tours or a full day tours, all of which will take you through the main sights of interest. Popular tours cover national parks, museums, memorials and other attractions.
Of these, the World War II related sightseeing spots such as the
Death Railway
that got its name due to the large number of allied force prisoners of war who were killed during the process of its construction, are popular spots on most itineraries. The railway line that was built over the river and steep cliffs on the mountainous region in Kanchanaburi to link the neighbouring Burma was intended to provide an alternate overland route for the Japanese to Rangoon. The inhumane treatment meted out to the prisoners of war has been documented in several museums in the town. Of these, the JEATH War Museum, Hellfire Pass Museum and War Museum at the Bridge are the most visited. In addition, the
Don-Rak War Cemetery,
where British, Australian and Dutch prisoners were buried, is a site that serves as a reminder of the ill effects of war and its associated crimes.
Another unique attraction in the province is the
Tiger temple
or Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, where for over a decade now monks at the monastery have been working towards preserving the tiger population that was diminishing as a result of poaching. The highlight of this Kanchanaburi attraction is that once every day the monks bring the tigers out for a walk on leashes. The experience of watching them from as close as 10m away and the opportunity of stroking one of them (the calmest one is usually brought close to the visitors) can be exhilarating.
 The
Erawan National Park
is also worth visiting to see the Erawan Falls that drop down the mountainside from over 1500m over seven different tiers.
These falls are considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand as well as Asia. There are pools at the bottom of some of these falls, where the water is clear and safe for swimming.
The surrounding mountains of Kanchanaburi have several caves, some from the Neolithic age while others are Buddhist shrines used for meditation. Pra That cave is one of the most interesting ones, which features limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites. Among the others, Tham Krasae has the best view, and Kaeng Lawa is the largest cave, which also has stalactites and stalagmites.
Kanchanaburi is not just about parks, museums and memorials. The town has several options for entertainment that would satisfy most tourists. The riverside stretch has a row of pubs, bars and nightspots providing enough options for some
enjoyable nightlife,
although it may not be as wild and busy as Bangkok or Pattaya. For shopaholics, the town has two night markets that bustle with activity. These are located near the bus station and the train station.
 The riverside is also a popular choice in Kanchanaburi for accommodation as it is close to the nightspots as well as some of the sightseeing spots. However, there are other options located near the parks or in the mountainside, if you love outdoor activities such as trekking. From budget hotels, eco resorts, home stays to luxury resorts, there is something to suit every traveller’s requirement.
So it is best to decide whether you want to stay in town or on the mountainside and decide on which attractions you would like to have easy access to, before deciding on the best Hotel in Kanchanaburi that would suit your requirements.
Since it is just a three hour drive away from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is easily accessible from any part of Thailand. However, getting to Bangkok and then taking a car or bus is the easiest option. Although there are trains that connect Bangkok to the province, these are local trains that only have third class accommodation and can get extremely crowded. If you want to get there by air, looking at the
map
will make you realise that arriving at Bangkok is the only option. Therefore, when you are looking for different options on
how to get to Kanchanaburi,
look for a flight that gets to Bangkok, and then check the bus schedule and the taxi costs to decide what works best for you.
While a three hour drive may seem a long and tiring way to travel, especially if you arrive at Bangkok and head straight for Kanchanaburi, you can be assured that the journey will be well worth it. The province offers such a wide range of intriguing attractions that you will never return home disappointed. This is one of the reasons why it is the largest tourism revenue earner in western Thailand, and such an amazing place to visit.
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