Kanchanaburi Guide: A Handy Note On A Quaint Historical Town In Thailand
When you’re planning a perfect Bangkok vacation, don’t forget to include a day trip to Kanchanaburi. It is a quaint and spectacular city, dating back to World War II. The city is beautiful and peaceful, full of diverse attractions, Which attracts every soul. Featuring an iconic bridge over the River Kwai, war cemetery, war museum, floating market and tiger temple; This place is a must visit from Bangkok and this handy Kanchanaburi guide covers every little detail you need to know to have a fascinating visit to this place. Let this Kanchanaburi travel guide help you on your journey through the gorgeous city.
Essential things you need to know about Kanchanaburi
How to reach Kanchanaburi?
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Kanchanaburi in Thailand is 140 kilometers from Bangkok and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to reach. You can reach Kanchanaburi from Bangkok by train, bus or taxi.
by train: Thornbury Station, Kanchanaburi runs two trains to Bangkok, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Train travel is exciting, refreshing and enjoyable. The Kanchanaburi Train passes over the famous bridge over the River Kwai.
by bus: Luxury and public buses run every day from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal Sai Tai Mai and Northern Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to reach the destination.
by taxi: The most expensive but flexible option is to take a private taxi from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. One can stop along the way and visit other tourist attractions located on the way.
Best time to visit Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit Kanchanaburi is from November to February. This is one of the best seasons, when the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. The days are comfortable and pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months should be avoided as they come with extreme heat and humidity.
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Places to Stay in Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi has many beautiful hotels and resorts, offering the best facilities, services and hospitality. If you don’t want to return to Bangkok the same day, you can check out X2 River Kwai Resort, Good Times Resort, Away Kanchanaburi Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa, Royal River Kwai Resort & Spa and Boutique Raft Resort.
Tourist attractions in Kanchanaburi
1. Bagh Temple
Place: Lum Sam, Saiyok District Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand
The Tiger Temple, also known as Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yanasampano, is a Theravada Buddhist temple, and one of the finest Kanchanaburi attractions. Considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kanchanaburi, this forest temple and wildlife sanctuary was established in 1994 and houses Indochinese tigers. Here tigers are worshiped and monks live happily with them round the clock. Anyone can visit this place, experience the thrill, click pictures and create memories of a lifetime.
opening time: From 12 noon to 4:30 pm.
stamp: INR 1333/person
2. Jeth War Museum
Place: Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
One of the famous attractions of Kanchanaburi is the Jeth War Museum. Established in 1977, the museum is located in the basement of a temple at the confluence of the Khwae Yai and Khwae Noi rivers. This museum displays history and artifacts related to Thailand’s historic Death Railway. There are two sections inside the Jeth War Museum. One part shows the history of the construction of the Death Railway while the other part displays paintings, sculptures, weapons and equipment made by World War II prisoners.
opening time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
stamp: INR 20/night
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3. Erawan National Park
Place: Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250, Thailand
Exploring the jungle of Erawan National Park is one of the most exciting things to do in Kanchanaburi. With the backdrop of the Tenasserim Hills, Erawan National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand. Featuring the Erawan Falls, located right in the middle of the national park; This place is a perfect example of paradise for nature lovers, wildlife lovers and photographers. Surrounded by mixed deciduous trees, one can spot animals like Sambar deer, Indochinese serow, Laar gibbon and wild elephants along with common to endangered birds like Khaji Pheasant, Black-naped Monarch, Blue-whistling Thrush and Crested Serpent Eagle .
opening time: 8 am to 4:30 pm
stamp: INR 888/person
4. Bridge on the River Kwai
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Place: Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Now, it is the iconic landmark of Kanchanaburi. No Kanchanaburi guide is complete without mentioning the bridge over the River Kwai. It is a historic railway bridge that was built over the River Kwai by the Japanese Army by World War II prisoners and slaves. This is a must visit when you are exploring Kanchanaburi.
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5. Floating Market
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Place: Lat Ya, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71190, Thailand
One of the beautiful attractions of Kanchanaburi is the Floating Market. Here sailors sell their goods on boats floating on the River Kwai. It is a vibrant and colorful market, always buzzing with tourists and vendors. From fresh fruits, flowers to souvenirs and knick-knacks, after a strong bargaining session, one can choose anything from the floating market.
opening time: 9 am to 5 pm
6. Thai Burma Railway
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Place: KwaiYai Road, Tambon Ban Tai, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
The Thai Burma Railway or Siam Burma Railway was a 415 meter long railway network constructed between Ban Pong, Thailand and Thanbyuzayat, Burma. It was built by Japanese prisoners and slaves during World War II. But unfortunately, millions of prisoners and laborers died during the construction project, so the Thai Burma Railway is also known as the Death Railway.
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7. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Place: 284/66 Songchuto Road, Tambon Ban Tai, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
Known locally as the Don-Rak War Cemetery, it is the main war cemetery, built in memory of Japanese prisoners who died untimely deaths during the construction of the Death Railway. About 6,982 prisoners were buried here and the site is currently maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
opening time: 8 am to 5 pm
stamp: INR 66/person
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8. Tham Phu Wa Temple
Place: Nong Ya, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
You should not leave Kanchanaburi without visiting Tham Phu Wa Temple. Not only the beautiful architecture, elaborate and interior Khmer and Lop Buri art work and the tranquility of the place make it popular, but its location inside a spectacular limestone cave, makes it one of the most stunning places to see in Kanchanaburi .
opening time: 8 am to 5 pm
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Read this detailed Kanchanaburi guide? Hope these Kanchanaburi travel tips will give you all the information about this amazing place, so that you can include Kanchanaburi as a part of your Thailand holidays with Tour TravelH otels.
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