Famed as the location of the bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi is a small town that is easy to get around and a great relief after the congestion of Bangkok. The main sights in town are its war cemeteries and museums, the former with regimented rows of graves and the latter with clear explanations and displays of the town’s significance during World War II. Besides the usual guest houses and hotels, the town also offers the option of sleeping on a raft on the River Kwai.

National parks and the ‘Death Railway’

In the town centre there’s a well preserved area of colonial buildings, but most visitors are eager to head for the nearby Erawan and Srinakarind National Parks with their beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. If you’re feeling more adventurous, hop on the so-called ‘Death Railway’ up to Nam Tok and continue north to the border with Myanmar at the Three Pagodas Pass, just beyond Sangkhlaburi.

Practical Info

Train Two trains run daily from Bangkok’s Thonburi station to Kanchanaburi.

Bus Regular services operate from both the Southern Bus Terminal and Mochit Terminal in Bangkok.