Kanchanaburi is famous World War II history and stories.
The Death Railway, Bridge over the River Kwae (Kwai) and the Allied War Cemetery are the famous attractions of the place. There are many war museums, several national parks, stunning waterfalls to explore.
Death railway
In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. It was here that Asian forced labourers and Allied POWs, to build the infamous Burma Railway. Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from disease, maltreatment, or accidents.
Kanchanaburi is turning out to be a backpackers destination and attracts people who prefer chilled-out riverside vibe over the choatic Bangkok.
You can also enjoy bamboo rafting along the River Kwae here.
Click on "Things To Do" tab to get the complete list of Places to see in Kanchanaburi. Read about the Top Things to do in Kanchanaburi and get best travel tips to plan your trip to Kanchanaburi sightseeing places
Check out the wide range of Kanchanaburi Holiday packages with Navigers, covering top attractions of Kanchanaburi and popular sightseeing tourist places of Kanchanaburi
River kwai bridge / Bridge over the River Kwai
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
The Bridge on the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi is one of the famous attractions. The Bridge on the River Kwai is part of the infamous Death Railway, built by the prisoners of the World War II under the supervision of Japanese Imperialism Army. It is a part of the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The Bridge River Kwai became famous all over the world, when it was featured in movies and books. The cliff-hugging tracks and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and valleys attracts a lot of visitors. A track is developed into a walkway with side platforms now, which allows crossing the railway bridge on foot. These platforms are useful as viewpoints and for avoiding trains. A small tourist train runs back and forth across the bridge. Special weekend trains from Bangkok is popular among tourists to visit this bridge.
The Bridge on the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi is one of the famous attractions. The Bridge on the River Kwai is part of the infamous Death Railway, built by the prisoners of the World War II under the supervision of Japanese Imperialism Army. It is a part of the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The Bridge River Kwai became famous all over the world, when it was featured in movies and books. The cliff-hugging tracks and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and valleys attracts a lot of visitors. A track is developed into a walkway with side platforms now, which allows crossing the railway bridge on foot. These platforms are useful as viewpoints and for avoiding trains. A small tourist train runs back and forth across the bridge. Special weekend trains from Bangkok is popular among tourists to visit this bridge.
Hellfire Pass and Memorial Museum
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
The Hellfire Pass is a 500 m-long portion of rock that 1,000 prisoners of war dug out (by hand) to pave the way to the infamous Death Railway. In the 12-week digging period, seven hundred men had died. Prisoners labored night and day, often with torches that resembled the fires of Hell; hence gaining its name. Today, it's possible to walk through the old railway track into the jungle (which takes about 4 to 5 hours), and visit a memorial museum, which is built to honor dead. The museum houses artifacts, tools, and photos.
The Hellfire Pass is a 500 m-long portion of rock that 1,000 prisoners of war dug out (by hand) to pave the way to the infamous Death Railway. In the 12-week digging period, seven hundred men had died. Prisoners labored night and day, often with torches that resembled the fires of Hell; hence gaining its name. Today, it's possible to walk through the old railway track into the jungle (which takes about 4 to 5 hours), and visit a memorial museum, which is built to honor dead. The museum houses artifacts, tools, and photos.
JEATH War Museum
Entry Fees :₹ 30THB Time To Visit :8:30am-6pm
This museum is designed as an exact replica of an actual prisoner of war camp; and one can experience the harsh realities of life within these camps, through the various artifacts displayed. The museum's name is from the acronym JEATH stands for Japan, England, Australia, America, Thailand and Holland, highlighting some of the nations whose citizens were captors, captives or hosts during the 1942-43 construction of the Death Railway.
This museum is designed as an exact replica of an actual prisoner of war camp; and one can experience the harsh realities of life within these camps, through the various artifacts displayed. The museum's name is from the acronym JEATH stands for Japan, England, Australia, America, Thailand and Holland, highlighting some of the nations whose citizens were captors, captives or hosts during the 1942-43 construction of the Death Railway.
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery / Don-Rak War Cemetery
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
This cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 7,000 British, Dutch, and Australian prisoners who died during construction of the Death Railway.
This cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 7,000 British, Dutch, and Australian prisoners who died during construction of the Death Railway.
Chonk-Kai Cemetery
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Chonk-Kai Cemetery is another cemetery at a close distance, which is built on former POW camp site.
Chonk-Kai Cemetery is another cemetery at a close distance, which is built on former POW camp site.
Wat Ban Tham
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :08:00-18:00
Wat Ban Tham is a beautiful mountain-cave temple. The entrance has a dragon’s mouth; through which you have to enter and climb some steep steps to see two impressive caves. Wat Ban Tham is located 10 km south of Kanchanaburi. Another beautiful temple Wat Tham Khao Noi.
Wat Ban Tham is a beautiful mountain-cave temple. The entrance has a dragon’s mouth; through which you have to enter and climb some steep steps to see two impressive caves. Wat Ban Tham is located 10 km south of Kanchanaburi. Another beautiful temple Wat Tham Khao Noi.
Tiger Temple / Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yanasampanno
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Tiger Temple is located at a distance of 25 km from Kanchanaburi. It no longer holds the charm of housing tigers, but appears on many travel brochures. In 2016, the Thai Department raided the temple, discovering frozen bodies of 40 cubs in a freezer; and traces of smuggling tigers. This infamous temple is no more recommended for a visit.
Tiger Temple is located at a distance of 25 km from Kanchanaburi. It no longer holds the charm of housing tigers, but appears on many travel brochures. In 2016, the Thai Department raided the temple, discovering frozen bodies of 40 cubs in a freezer; and traces of smuggling tigers. This infamous temple is no more recommended for a visit.
Erawan National Park
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Erawan National Park is at a distance of 65 km from Kanchanaburi. It is famous for its beautiful seven-tiered waterfall admist the serene setting, surrounded by lush vegetation and limestone mountains. The water is filled with beautiful fishes, making it a free fish spa center.
Erawan National Park is at a distance of 65 km from Kanchanaburi. It is famous for its beautiful seven-tiered waterfall admist the serene setting, surrounded by lush vegetation and limestone mountains. The water is filled with beautiful fishes, making it a free fish spa center.
Phra That Cave / Tham Phra That
Entry Fees :₹ 200 THB Time To Visit :
Tham Phra That is a large cave with glittering stalagmites and stalactites, located 12 kilometres from Erawan National Park.
Tham Phra That is a large cave with glittering stalagmites and stalactites, located 12 kilometres from Erawan National Park.
Sai Yok Yai Water Fall
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Sai Yok Yai Water Fall is at a distance of 85 kms from Kanchanaburi, in the remote forest. You will have to hike for 3 kms to reach this beautiful waterfalls.
Sai Yok Yai Water Fall is at a distance of 85 kms from Kanchanaburi, in the remote forest. You will have to hike for 3 kms to reach this beautiful waterfalls.
Elephant's World
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Elephant's World is a non-profit elephant refuge camp, where visitors can take care of rescued elephants; which were overworked, underfed and mistreated for tourist-driven attractions.
Elephant's World is a non-profit elephant refuge camp, where visitors can take care of rescued elephants; which were overworked, underfed and mistreated for tourist-driven attractions.
Kanchanaburi is easily accessible via bus or train.
By Road
Kanchanaburi Town is located 140kms to the west of Bangkok. Regular buses ply the route from Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok.
Those with own vehicles may use the newly constructed expressway from Pinklao.
By Train
Train services from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi starts from Bangkok Noi Railway Station.
Special trains run from Bangkok for tourists during weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, the train leaves Bangkok at 6.30am. It stops at Bridge River Kwai for 10 minutes. Tourists can use this time to sightsee and take photographs. The train further passes through the old POW camps. This train journey allows tourists to see the famous Bridge River Kwai and the historical places as well as enjoy the bewitching beauty of the rugged mountainous region.
