If you wish to go to some nice spots near Bangkok that basically seize the essence of conventional Thai tradition, then Kanchanaburi is your vacation spot.
Top-of-the-line locations to be in Thailand is Kanchanaburi, about two and a half hours away from Bangkok.
Is Kanchanaburi, Thailand Value Visiting?
Toying with the thought of including Kanchanaburi to your lists of locations to go to when in Thailand? Nicely, don’t assume twice. This small city is the right vacation spot for a fast journey from Bangkok.
Kanchanaburi, Thailand is legendary for its historic websites and nationwide parks. It was the positioning of fierce battles between Allied troops and Imperial Japan throughout World Struggle II.
And Kanchanaburi’s nationwide parks are one thing to speak about, too. Whether or not it’s the emerald waterfalls of Erawan Nationwide Park or the mountains of Sai Yok Nationwide Park, you’ll discover journey round each nook.
Planning on exploring Thailand independently? Get our complete Thailand Journey Information, the place you’ll discover all needed info earlier than your journey to Thailand.
Journey Information to Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Uncover Kanchanaburi’s wealthy historical past or discover its pure wonders. Whether or not you’re keen on native tradition, the area’s historic websites, or adrenaline-pumping journey, that is your likelihood to get a style of all of it.
Listed here are the 13 finest issues to do in Kanchanaburi, Thailand:
The River Kwai Bridge
Probably the most fascinating locations in Kanchanaburi is the bridge on River Kwai, which was a part of the Thailand – Burma Demise Railway. The development started in June 1942 and resulted in October 1943. To construct this bridge, 250,000 laborers had been pressured by Japan to work as slaves; as many as 100,000 individuals misplaced their lives in the course of the development of this railway.
There’s a well-known film primarily based on this historical past, “The Bridge over the River Kwai.”
These days, vacationers go to right here and stroll throughout the bridge. The price for foreigners is 100 Thai baht per individual, however for Thais, it’s free.
Erawan Nationwide Park
Erawan Nationwide Park is a nationwide park in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. Established in 1975, the park is dwelling to many waterfalls and rock formations.
Essentially the most well-known of those is Erawan Falls, which consists of tiers that cascade down a number of ranges into a big basin on the backside of a steep canyon.
To get to Erawan Nationwide Park, you’ll must take a taxi or lease a bike. By automobile, the drive is roughly 50 minutes. However by motorcycle, put together for an hour and a half trip.
When you get there, spend time mountaineering as much as every stage of waterfalls, swimming, and exploring the remainder of the nationwide park.
Tham Krasae
Roughly half-hour west of Kanchanaburi, you’ll arrive on the Tham Krasae Bridge. Constructed with bamboo by Allied POWs throughout World Struggle II, it’s a stunning construction to see.
I like to recommend staying because the solar goes down. The way in which the solar peeks out from behind the timber as nightfall approaches is magical. You’ll hear a number of totally different languages reflecting on what sacrifices had been made to construct this, and the way it’s nonetheless standing immediately.
Close by, you’ll additionally discover a cave that Allied troops hid in throughout battle and a waterway that they used for transport. The cave is tiny, so I don’t essentially suggest spending loads of time inside.
Be a part of a few of the native excursions in Kanchanaburi:
Hellfire Go
The journey to Hellfire Go was a spotlight of my go to to Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Earlier than I arrived in Thailand, I had discovered in regards to the Demise Railway and the horrific situations Allied prisoners of warfare confronted throughout World Struggle II.
Hellfire Go gives a glimpse into what prisoners who helped construct the railway battled. Greater than 100,000 individuals misplaced their lives in the course of the development of the railway.
Entrance is free and it’s a wonderful expertise to study extra in regards to the historical past behind Kanchanaburi and the western provinces of Thailand.
Plan your subsequent journey to Thailand:
Demise Railway Museum
I’ve talked about the Demise Railway a number of instances all through this information as a result of it’s an important a part of Kanchanaburi, Thailand’s historical past. So, it’s solely becoming to study much more about what occurred throughout this time by visiting the Demise Railway Museum.
As Kanchanaburi is an typically ignored vacationer vacation spot in Thailand, this museum doesn’t see as many guests because it ought to. And it’s a disgrace as a result of It’s considered one of, if not the most effective, historic museums in Thailand.
It gives you an inside look into what life was like on this brutal railroad and train you all about its historical past. It is vitally properly curated and has some intriguing reveals.
Khwae Yai River Cruise + Dinner
After a day of exploring Kanchanaburi, Thailand, I like to recommend hopping aboard a dinner cruise on the Khwae Yai River. This was considered one of my favourite experiences in Thailand and one thing that I had wished to do for years.
Our cruise supplied scrumptious conventional Thai meals, unbelievable views of the solar setting over the river, and naturally, karaoke. It’s loads of enjoyable, so don’t be shy!
Above all, it’s an effective way to see extra of Kanchanaburi with out getting again in your motorcycle. It’s such a memorable expertise that gives mindfulness and tranquility amidst chaotic Southeast Asia.
Go to The Mall
It wouldn’t be a Thai metropolis if it didn’t have a mall, proper? So, after all, Kanchanaburi isn’t any exception.
Throughout your journey to Kanchanaburi, make sure to put aside a while to discover the mall close to the middle of city.
It is a wonderful place to spend a while and seize a chew to eat or a memento. The mall has every thing you’ll count on from a contemporary purchasing middle, together with eating places, retailers, and even a cinema.
Cooking Class
Thai meals is a large a part of the tradition right here in Kanchanaburi, so it is smart that you would be able to take courses while you’re on the town. Cooking Thai meals isn’t just about following recipes; it’s additionally an effective way to study extra about Thai tradition and delicacies.
And naturally, we will’t neglect about how meals in Thailand tastes. Not solely do you acquire the talents to cook dinner like a Thai, however additionally, you will be capable to create meals that your loved ones and pals can take pleasure in; what an effective way to share your journey with them.
In case you’re on the lookout for a great cooking college whereas in Kanchanaburi, we suggest Apple’s Retreat. The proprietor is a kind-hearted and skilled Thai cooking teacher. She has been round Thai cooking her complete life, so she is aware of every thing there may be to find out about Thai delicacies and learn how to put together it correctly.
Strolling Avenue
If you’re visiting Kanchanaburi, you have to take a look at Strolling Avenue. This well-known road attracts individuals from everywhere in the globe who need to expertise its distinctive mixture of meals, purchasing, and leisure.
With pleasant locals working the present, it is going to be a spotlight of your journey. It’s no query that it’s a huge a part of what makes Kanchanaburi so nice.
We all the time went to Strolling Avenue for a Singha beer and dwell music after a full day of adventuring.
See The Big Raintree
For a less-frequented however equally fascinating different to Erawan Nationwide Park, we suggest visiting the Big Raintree. Though it’s nowhere close to as well-known as its nationwide park neighbor, this is a wonderful place for many who like off-the-beaten-path places.
What makes this Big Raintree so distinctive? This 100-year-old tree isn’t solely stunningly stunning but in addition sacred.
Becoming in a cease on the Big Raintree is a should and it’s the right method to break up your journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. You can even go to the Big Raintree as a day journey from Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Extra journey ideas in your journey to Southeast Asia:
Wat Tham Khiritham
I do know you have to have visited many Wats by this time in your Thailand journey, however it’s value visiting Wat Tham Khiritham for its meditation cave.
Wat Tham Khiritham is a vital religious spot and a non secular college for novice monks. Its caves are additionally a well-liked vacation spot for meditation practitioners, because the cave holds religious powers that can energize all who enter it.
So, in the event you’re on the lookout for a cultural expertise and a spot for meditation, do go to Wat Tham Khiritham. My go to to Wat Tham Khiritham was a really religious and refreshing expertise that I’ll always remember.
Sai Yok Nationwide Park
Sai Yok Nationwide Park is the biggest nationwide park in Kanchanaburi, making it the right place to discover throughout your journey to western Thailand. The park is dwelling to a number of essential pure websites, mountains, and galvanizing waterfalls.
Though it doesn’t fairly match up in opposition to its neighbor, Erawan Nationwide Park, many vacationers think about it superior. Not solely does it boast a tremendously huge wilderness space, however its terrain can be excellent for these seeking to take pleasure in a day of mountaineering or biking.
So, why not add a go to to Sai Yok Nationwide Park to your listing of issues to do whilst you’re in Kanchanaburi, Thailand?
Sri Nakharin Dam Nationwide Park
And final however not least, you possibly can’t miss out on Sri Nakharin Dam Nationwide Park.
This nationwide park is just about an hour away from Kanchanaburi and it gives stunningly stunning surroundings with fewer crowds than Erawan Nationwide Park.
Close by is a giant lake, Lake Sinakharin, which can be a implausible place to spend time mountaineering or meditating. Including this nationwide park and space to your Kanchanaburi itinerary is an effective way to calm down and benefit from the pure great thing about this space.
Is Kanchanaburi, Thailand secure?
General, Thailand may be very secure and Kanchanaburi isn’t any totally different. However identical to any vacation spot all over the world, apply frequent sense and concentrate on your environment.
One of many largest dangers right here is petty theft, which principally occurs in crowded areas like journey markets that vacationers collect to buy at. Everytime you’re out purchasing or sightseeing, maintain your cash safely tucked away and hidden from view.
The place to remain in Kanchanaburi, Thailand when visiting
As you go to guide your lodging, you’ll discover there are loads of selections. For funds vacationers, we suggest the smaller guesthouses and homestays on the town as they’re cheaper and supply extra private service in comparison with bigger accommodations. One in every of our favourite guesthouses in Kanchanaburi is WesTory Poshtel. This contemporary hostel gives considerate facilities and reasonably priced costs. Ebook your room now.
In case you’re on the lookout for a extra upscale place to remain close to Kanchanaburi and also you don’t thoughts spending a bit extra, then take a look at Cross River Kwai (former X2River Kwai Resort). This resort is situated on the banks of the Kwai Yai River and has gorgeous views of native hills. The resort’s restaurant serves up scrumptious Thai meals and Western dishes, too.Ebook your room now.
The place To Eat In Kanchanaburi, Thailand
In case you aren’t consuming road meals, then are you even in Thailand? Similar to all the different locations in Thailand, Kanchanaburi has road meals stalls that aren’t solely scrumptious however low cost, too.
However in the event you’re eager on sitting down for a meal, take a look at Mangosteen Cafe & Bookstore or Good Occasions Restaurant. Each of those eating places are domestically owned and dish out a few of the finest Thai meals west of Bangkok.
Pack & journey:
How To Get Round Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Whenever you go to Kanchanaburi, one can find that you would be able to simply stroll round city. Strolling Avenue is the place most vacationers keep whereas visiting. Most accommodations and hostels are on or close by this road, making it simple to navigate.
However, you’ll undoubtedly need to discover Erawan Nationwide Park and all the different locations we listed above. In that case, we suggest hiring a taxi driver or renting a bike.
Suggestions For Renting A Bike
You probably have by no means pushed a bike earlier than arriving in Thailand, I wouldn’t suggest beginning there. As an alternative, rent a driver to take you the place you need to go.
We solely recommend that skilled motorcycle drivers lease a motorcycle for the day; it supplies much more freedom and can prevent cash. To lease a bike in Kanchanaburi, you’ll want your passport, which the motorcycle firm will probably maintain onto whilst you have their bike; so, maintain this in thoughts and all the time carry your passport with you.
I hope this text has helped you discover all the data it’s good to plan a worthwhile go to to Kanchanaburi. Protected and glad travels!
