Museums
The War Museum is one of
two war museums about the Death Railway It is located only
approx. 300 meters from in Kanchanaburi.
It includes a prehistoric view on the province. Entrance fee 60
The Jeath War Museum is located in
the grounds of a temple at the junction of the Kwai Yai and Kwai
Noi
Rivers aprox 3 Km downstream from the
bridge and is open daily from 08:30 to 18:00 and Entrance 30.
Hellfire
Pass Memorial
Museum Commemorates
the 1000 Australian and British troops who dug through this mountain pass
mostly with bare hands, over 700 died in the process. Entrance free donation
appreciated trips available in town or by taxi usually included in excursions
from Bangkok.
AttractionsThe Animal Welfare Farm
Located at Phupradoo
Village,
around 20 km from Kanchanaburi not to far fromBaan
Kao
National
Museum.
It is the animal welfare centre, around 2,000 dogs and cats, a place for dog
lovers.Kreng Kravia Waterfall and Dai Chong Thong Waterfall Located close to each other about 170 km
from Kanchanaburi in a beautiful
area Entrance free
Tiger Temple World
famous attraction where visitors can watch the monks walking
alongside wild tigers being rehabilitated at the centre then you have the
chance to walk up and touch them and get a great photo opportunity then walk
back with the tigers to the nigh time rest spot watching all the other wild
animals being fed. Included in many trips fromBangkok or easily booked locally or hire a
taxi to take you there. 15.30 – 17.00 Entrance 300
Getting There
Kanchanaburi is connected by daily road and rail services with Bangkok and other neighbouring
provinces. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches frequently leave Bangkok's Southern Bus
Terminal throughout the day, departing every 15 minutes from about 5.00 to 22.00
for the 2 to 3-hour journey. Or take a minibus fromBangkok's Khaosan Rd. around 2 hours. Trains from Bangkok Noi Railway Station two
times daily. Many day trips and multiple day trips available
at hotels and travel agents.
There is no dought that the fame of Kanchanaburi comes directly from the 1957 movie The Bridge on the River Kwai that
starred Alec Guinness. The movie depicted the terrible conditions the
alied and Asian POW's had to endure to build this small part of the
'Death Railway' and 50 years later the image is still strong even with
people not born for 30 years after the movie let alone the actual events.
Most of the
visitors are young often backpackers from Europe and North America, but
very large numbers of tourists are Japanese often younger Japanese
which also comes as something of a surprise. as you walk across the
bridge try to imagine that they say one man died for every wooden
support for the lines not only on the bridge but along the entire rail
line.
The original wooden bridge depicted in the
movie was a temporary bridge built while the bridge you see above was being
constructed both were bombed by the allies the wooden one was not rebuilt and
has now rotted away. The river itself is beautifully clear and the views along
the banks are stunning it also contains the world only freshwater stingray.
Crossing the bridge on foot is free but be very careful there are gaps in the
wooden planking but not any real danger, trains also cross the bridge, but
always at a snails pace and there are plenty of platforms to step out of the
way.
Festivals
Boat
and Raft Festival A colourful festival at the beginning of
November there are boat races and water sports games are held at this annual in
the area of Khun Phan Dam.
River
Kwai Bridge
Festival Every year last week in November into first week
of December the River Kwai bridge festival where a spectacular sound and light
show tells the story of the ‘Death Railway’ there is also a large fair.
Yoei
Dance Festival During Songkran and New Year festivals
is a kind of folk play that has been performed for more than 500 years.. There
are male and female actors formed in a circle. A player takes turn to sing
his/her own verses. There is also dance with the music from a long drum
band.
Ban Nong Khao Fair Held during the Songkran festival in April at Wat
Intharam.. promotes the culture and
traditions of the local villagers, games, play performances, bull races, are
demonstrations of sweet making, cloth weaving, a beauty queen contest, and lots
of other entertainment
Safari Park This is an open zoo Located on
Highway No 325 - 40 km from Kanchanaburi.. Use your own car or the park
has a car service available. Open from 09.00. to 17.00 p.m. daily. Entrance 120
adult and 60 for kids
Wachiralongkorn Dam Part of the Mea
Klong river development which covers the area
of 3 million rai 12 km’s from Kanchanaburi.
Wat Tham Khao Noi and Wat Tham Seua A large Chinese style temple complex at tambon Muang chum
Local and international tour operators can
arrange all kinds of day/ overnight three day trips from the town including the
attractions above and many others such as bamboo river rafting, white water
rafting, leisure cruise on the river, canoe trips, freshwater big game fishing,
hot natural spa’s, visit hill
tribe Karen village, elephant treks and much more all these
things tend to be out of town so practical to organise on your own.
