Kanchanaburi travel and attractions: temples, palace

Things to see & do

Tourist Attractions
Internationally famous The Bridge over the River Kwai was constructed by the Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and supervised by the Japanese army during WWII. The bridge was a section of the ‘Death Railway’ intended to link Thailand with Myanmar. Many Allied soldiers died due to the harsh conditions. The railway was never fully completed but is still in use today.

The 7-tiered Erawan Waterfall, dropping through a series of cascades and shady rock pools, is regarded as one of Thailand’s loveliest falls. It is located within the lush forest of the Erawan National Park, the nearest park to the provincial capital. A pleasant, but strenuous 2-km hiking trail ascending beside the falls provides a challenging activity.

A large limestone cavern, Tham Wang Badan, is situated on the west side of the park and contains many colorful stalactites and stalagmites. Camping facilities and trekking trails makes it easier to appreciate the local flora and fauna.

The Lawa Cave and Daowadung Cave are both situated beside the Kwai Noi River, accessible only by boat. The dark caves offer an exciting adventure and house numerous beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the world’s smallest mammals, the 3-cm long bats.

Discovered by a Japanese soldier during WWII, the Hin Dat Hot Spring is a pond for bathing beside a stream. It is near the entrance of the Pha Tat Waterfall, a huge fall easily accessible by all, located north of the provincial town.

The Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park in Sai Yok District north of town is an ancient site on the banks of the Kwai Noi River. The main structure, the Khmer Prasat Muang Sing (Tower of the City of Lions) is believed to be the westernmost outpost of the Angkor-centered Khmer Empire. Temple carvings, religious statues and other artifacts indicate the city flourished during the 12th-14th centuries.

The main attraction of the isolated trading town of Sangkhla Buri is its serene lakeside location on the Thai-Myanmar border. The town is populated by Thais and Mon and Karen tribepeople. The northern shore is dominated by the unusual chedis of Wat Wanwiwekaram. The daily market besides the temple sells interesting goods from Myanmar, Indonesia and other places early every morning. Slightly north of town is the infamous Three Pagoda Pass with 3 whitewashed chedis sitting right on the Myanmar border. During WWII, the Burma-Siam Railway passed through here. Nowadays, it exists as a trading and smuggling route between the Indian Ocean and mainland Southeast Asia. Visitors can usually obtain a one-day visa to visit the neighboring Burmese town.