I think it should be on everyones list, its incredible and full of so much history that it makes for an exciting few days and one of the best things is that its super close to Erawan Waterfalls which is one of my favourite waterfalls in Thailand too! I'm thinking of shelling out money and skipping the last leg of my tour and making my way to Chiang Mai instead. minItems:1, } Kanchanaburi is misunderstood. Its more affordable than you think, so get your free quote here! Kanchanaburi is infamous. Renting a scooter is a rite of passage for any backpacker in Thailand! Kanchanaburi: Erawan Waterfall & Train Full-Day Tour, Private Tour: Trekking Kanchanaburi Forest to Tham Than Lod. The town of Kanchanaburi is located 130 kilometers away from Bangkok and is a popular escape for those hoping to lose the crowd. If youre looking for a place to stay in Kanchanaburi, we suggest using Booking.comorTripAdvisor, one of the best websites to compare prices. We came up from Khoa Sok National Park which is between Phuket and Kanchanaburi by train. The dam is just 15 minutes beyond the entrance for Erawan National Park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-39447514', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Bangkok and upon arrival spend another night in Chiang Mai, but maybe Kanchanburi is like a hidden treasure where you expect nothing and leave with something. Although we found it sad we still enjoyed visiting Hell Fire Pass and think its worth a visit. From luxuriant waterfalls, to dramatic temples, to a laid-back town center with both history and scenery in spades, Kanchanaburi is easily one of Thailands most underrated destinations. Click Here To Search For More Accommodation In Kanchanaburi! Regardless of which group you fall into, this post should clarify things. Its amazingly symmetrical and cool to walk around and explore. These costs are from our own trip and should be used as a guide only. The war cemetery was a very sombre experience. Mostly overrated. You have to see it for yourself. $('#metaslider_50011 .msHtmlOverlay').each(function() { Must Read: 9 Best Things To Do In Kanchanaburi For An Enchanting Thai Excursion. However, the waterfalls might not be as clear due to the rainfall making the water murky. It all depends what you are looking for on your short stay. If you useTrustedHousesitterswith this link youllget 25% offthe annual membership. There is sightseeing with a couple of temples in the area and a national park. These buses depart after every 15 minutes and take about 2 to 3 hours to reach the destination.Another way to get to Kanchanaburi by road is by boarding a minibus from the Khaosan Road, Bangkok, to get to the location within 2 hours. Safe and happy travels! As you can probably tell, both Jack and I loved Kanchanaburi and really had a good time exploring the city, visiting the sites and learning about its history. nextText:">", We highly recommend taking the train to get there. If you want guided tours, which if we had the budget we would have loved to do, they will cost more; so just keep that in mind. In all, Kanchanaburi is worth visiting but as for Erawan National Park, that remains debatable Read more about Kanchanaburi and discover more places to visit in Thailand here. Next, you need to understand how to get around Kanchanaburi. I hope this article has helped you find all the information you need to plan a worthwhile visit to Kanchanaburi. At the other side of the bridge, there is a market where you can buy souvenirs. Admire the Wat Tham Suea Tiger Cave Temple, Take a waterfall hike through Erawan National Park, Dine along the riverand ride a boat down it, too, Watch sunset behind the River Kwai Bridge. Kanchanaburi travel guide - Activities, Events & Things to do Want to see even more about these waterfalls, check out our video below. Kanchanaburi, capital of Kanchanaburi Province, is home to the Burma Railway (aka "Death Railway") bridge built by Allied POWs during WWII and immortalized in Bridge Over the River Kwai. It was the site of fierce battles between Allied troops and Imperial Japan during World War II. A total of 100,000 men died working on the death railroad including kidnapped Malay and Burmese men and British, Dutch, Australian, and American prisoners of war. $('#metaslider_50011').metaslider_scale_layers({ If you are not interested in or excited by the sites in Kanchanaburi I would consider Chiang Mai but is it really worth travelling there for just two nights ? But try not to lose your Zen when the occasional party boat passes by blaring full-volume karaoke or disco. orig_width: 300 1. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-39421109', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');River Kwai Resotel should I decide to stay, can someone please tell me honestly if I should visit Kanchanaburi or should i make my way to Chiang Mai instead?? I do, however, think that the bridge over the River Kwai makes a great foreground for sunset, particularly if you watch it from somewhere on the water. Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting? Thailand Travel Guide and Tips "text": "Kanchanaburi is famous for the Death Railway bridge." Are There Any Reasons Kanchanaburi Isn't Worth Visiting? film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" ran straight through here and there are a few museum and sites that are well worth visiting. This small town is the perfect destination for a quick trip from Bangkok. The Complete Travel Guide To Kanchanaburi, Thailand - Nomad is Beautiful Kanchanaburi is famous for the Death Railway bridge. The quality of the food served at the hotel is exceptional.Website, Suggested Read: 5 Best Nude Beaches In Thailand That One Cannot Afford To Miss. Was it the exotic Islands and beaches perhaps? A very impressive place, the temple lies around 14 kilometers from Kanchanaburi and is definitely worth visiting. Overall, Thailand is very safe and Kanchanaburi is no different. If you are fascinated by World War II history, then you should definitely go to Kanchanaburi. The tree is considered sacreddont climb on it. downscale_only: false, Only the trestle is original; it's a standing reminder of the hard work involved. "@type": "Question", Kanchanaburi is a paradise for outdoor adventurers and history buffs. Death Railway Bridge Image Source The Death Railway Bridge or Bridge on the River Kwai is one of the most famous places to visit in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Need help planning your trip to Thailand? Let's check it out our Kanchanaburi travel blog (Kanchanaburi blog) with the fullest Kanchanaburi travel guide for a great trip on a budget to Kanchanaburi for the first time from how to get there, where to stay, best places to visit and what to do in Kanchanaburi below. However, the sadness of the events which took place there is embedded within the city and can be witnessed in the museums, historical landmarks, the war cemetery and the Death Railway itself. Bangkok residents, meanwhile, tend to put it in the same category as much farther away and more dynamic destinationsI cant decide if this is a good or bad tendency. It is an exact replica of the war jail camps set up during WWII. The wooden trestle is crude, original, and was constructed by POWs in a record 17 days and nights. JEATH stands for Japan, England, Australia, Thailand, Holland. A hodgepodge of exhibits show daily life, including sleeping barracks, for the POWs. $('#metaslider_50011').metaslider_scale_layers({ Is Kanchanaburi, Thailand Worth Visiting? Discover more NATIONAL PARKS The worlds longest wooden bridge, Saphan Mon is significant in itself. Fitting in a stop at the Giant Raintree is a must and its the perfect way to break up your trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. before: function(slider) { There was a section of the railway which was almost impossible to construct due to a huge section of granite rock blocking the planned route. The Death Railway museum in Kanchanaburi town is right opposite the war cemetery. "acceptedAnswer": { If you plan to visit the waterfalls the best time is just after the rainy season when the water levels are higher, this is between November and December. These train tracks are still active, but you can walk on them at your own risk. Hellfire Pass is around a 90-minute drive from Kanchanaburi, but its on the way to Sai Yok National Park. $(this).remove(); The massive canopy spans outward over 60 feet and is even more impressive during rainy months when covered in greenery. NO disrespect at atll. It connects the main town to villages. animation:'slide', Join some of the local tours in Kanchanaburi: The trip to Hellfire Pass was a highlight of my visit to Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Honestly - how worth it is Kanchanaburi?? Yes or No? Pls hlp Planning on exploring Thailand independently? Need help planning your trip to Thailand? The thing thats amazing about Kanchanaburi is that even if youre not into the history side theres lots of other stuff to do. I hope it's beautiful! The bus station is a 20-minute walk from the Asleep hostel recommended below. While the iron bridge draws tourists with some big-screen infamy, Hellfire Pass is a bit more authentic. The Hellfire Pass and Memorial Museum are maintained by the Australian Government. An old church and hospital still stand. Click Here For A Guided Bike Tour Around Kanchanaburi! Worth visiting - Review of Bridge Over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi To find both, take Highway 3429 south from Kanchanaburi then turn left after the Wat Tham Mangkonthong school. You may wish to drive yourself and overnight to look around. $('#metaslider_50011 .msHtmlOverlay').each(function() { The landmark was constructed by the Dutch, American, and British prisoners of war captured during WWII. Once you get there, spend time hiking up to each level of waterfalls, swimming, and exploring the rest of the national park. To balance the trip we enjoyed visiting Erawan Waterfalls immensely it was a great thing to do after all the museums. pauseOnHover:true, We did a lot of walking around the city to reach places of interest and took to eating at the night market every night, which was absolutely fine. Want to take your dream trip to Thailand, but having a nightmare as you try to plan it? Japan occupied Thailand during World War II and wanted to build a railroad in Thailand to eventually invade India through Myanmar. The much more famous Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) on a hill above Kanchanaburi really draws tourists. Its possible to walk from the Kwai bridge to the War Cemetery (although its a long walk) but we did it and it took around one hour. There are a few things which have to be done to make your trip to Kanchanaburi worth it and at the top of that list is visiting the Kwai Bridge. Further Read: Nightlife In Thailand: 7 Best Thailand Bars And Clubs Thatll Evoke Your Inner Party Animal. . Erawan Falls and Huay MaeKhamin Falls are national parks that both have 7 tiers of waterfalls. Kanchanaburi - is it worth the visit? : r/ThailandTourism - Reddit Although Kanchanaburi is generally known as a natural destination, my favorite place here is Wat Tham Suea, aka the Tiger Cave Temple. The relatively unknown town of Kanchanaburi, west of Bangkok, Thailand, has a violent history and is chock full of reminders of the town's role in some terrible events of World War II. This place was packed with so much to see and do. Erawan National Park & Waterfalls in Kanchanaburi is an absolutely fantastic place to explore and well worth the visit. The POWs worked relentlessly to dig the pass, and at least 69 were documented as beaten to death by their captors. Consider purchasing some of the woven goods to support the Karen people who live nearby. The thing is, the treatment of the POWs was beyond horrific, and not only did the Japanese take POWs they also had thousands of Southeast Asians working on the harrowing railway under the guise that they would have a better life. If not driving, you can get yourself to Hellfire Pass without joining a tour by taking the train to Nam Tok then grab a songthaew (truck taxi) to the entrance of the monument. But if youre keen on sitting down for a meal, check out Mangosteen Cafe & Bookstore or Good Times Restaurant. For a less-frequented but equally interesting alternative to Erawan National Park, we recommend visiting the Giant Raintree. }); Whether youre interested in local culture, the regions historical sites, or adrenaline-pumping adventure, this is your chance to get a taste of it all. Filed Under: Thailand Destinations Tagged With: Kanchanaburi. Is Kanchanaburi worth visiting? Hell Fire Pass and the Bridge on the River Kwai are - sadly -boring. Its one of those places that gets missed off so many peoples lists; it isnt near the coast so there arent any beaches and since its very close to Bangkok it gets forgotten about. Its easy to find them and rent them and they are great if you want to explore further afield than Kanchanaburi centre, although driving in Asia can be a little daunting at times. directionNav:true, }); Both of these restaurants are locally owned and dish out some of the best Thai food west of Bangkok. Check out these destinations below! generation I assume. Discover Kanchanaburis rich history or explore its natural wonders. A memorial and two museums commemorate those who died in the effort, and a yearly carnival includes a pyrotechnic recreation of the bridge's bombing. Hellfire Pass can be visited from Kanchanaburi. The quickest way to reach Bangkok from Kanchanaburi is by train. Like what you're reading? Click Here! Check out the timetables of buses and trains here! window.setTimeout(timer_metaslider_50011, 1) : metaslider_50011(window.jQuery); One of the biggest risks here is petty theft, which mostly happens in crowded areas like travel markets that tourists gather to shop at. Kanchanaburi is definitely worth visiting, and you will definitely not regret coming! Mount Nemrut: All You Need To Know About Turkeys Stunning Trek Spot! We use BikeBooking.com to make bookings for scooters while we travel! itemWidth:300, Kanchanaburi City, located at the point where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers meet and form the Mae Klong River, is a popular resort town. The museum is maintained by monks. I will give it a try and stay with the tour. Blessed with abundant waterfalls, caves, lakes and hot springs, much of which can be explored in its national parks. But I am a diff. Why not pin this article for later? Its been designed beautifully and well-kept but the fact it holds the graves of over 6000 men is very sad. Thai food is a massive part of the culture here in Kanchanaburi, so it makes sense that you can take classes while you are in town. We were shocked, saddened and in disbelief at the events which took place at Kanchanaburi during the Second World War. It is an excellent place to spend some time and grab a bite to eat or a souvenir. Book your trip to Thailand with Traveltriangle and have a great time as you take a tour of the places to visit in Kanchanaburi. JEATH (Japan, England, Australia/America, Thailand, and Holland) POWs of these allied powers were imprisoned and tortured at the prison camp situated on the grounds of Wat Chai Chumphon. 20 or 30 THB for the car park (if you come on a scooter or car) Good To Know: It's possible to rent bikes at the visitor centre for 20 THB for the day, the bikes can be used to access the first two lower tiers only. If you want to brush off the history and culture of Thailand, then, visit this place. I definitely hope you make time for its, whether as a weekend (or very long) day trip from Bangkok, or more ideally for several days. $('#metaslider_50011 .msHtmlOverlay .layer[data-link], #metaslider_50011 .msHtmlOverlay[data-link]').each(function() { Click Here! Is Kanchanaburi worth visiting? The 9 Best Places to Visit Outside Bangkok, The 12 Best Things to Do in Rayong, Thailand, The Top 10 Things to Do and See in Luang Prabang, Laos, The Black House (Baan Dam) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, The 7 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand, The Top 18 Things to Do in Tiruchirappalli, India, Bangkok's Grand Palace: The Complete Guide, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Conditions were so bad that tens of thousands of men died including the death of over 90% of the Asian workforce, dubbing it the Death Railway. If you love nature then youll enjoy visiting the national parks and stopping in Kanchanaburi for a night on your way through would be worth it. "acceptedAnswer": { To round out your tour of war history in Kanchanaburi, go visit one or both of the war cemeteries. Wat Tham Khiritham is an important spiritual spot and a religious school for novice monks. var metaslider_50011 = function($) { controlNav:false, If you want to do this, Id probably recommend booking an organized tour, as opposed to trying to do it on your ownat least not via public transport. Kanchanaburi is a province a few hours west of Bangkok that is known for its history, temples, and waterfalls. First, you need to spend enough time hereif youre planning on seeing everything on a day trip from Bangkok, youll probably feel rushed and stress the whole day (and you wont see it all, too boot). Visitors can relive the past through the accounts narrated by the prisoners or their family members. Ill be honest: I dont necessarily believe that riding the Death Railway toward Thailands border with Myanmar is a must-do. The best way to work out how long you need in Kanchanaburi is to first figure out what activities you want to do. The massive number of graves seen isnt even close to the number of people who perished. Some of the highly recommended hotels are: Image SourceThe Dheva Mantra Resort is around 8 kilometers away from River Kwai and is centrally located. The museum shows the railway cars in which the Japanese housed their prisoners. It showed a good representation of the lives of the captive men including photos and a short documentary. 2 Must-See Kanchanaburi Waterfalls in Thailand - Lucas World Travel This post may contain affiliate links. The POWs and labourers were instructed to blast through using large chisels and pikes before placing dynamite in the holes. }; Swimming in the multi-leveled pools of the Erawan Falls is the most popular thing to do in Kanchanaburi away from the bridge. Its best to get the night bus if youre on a budget to save on accommodation for that night however dont expect to get a good nights sleep.