 Kanchanaburi
Attractions - Top Sightseeing and things to see
 Internationally
famous, thanks to several motion pictures and books,
the black iron bridge was brought from Java by the Japanese
army and re-assembled under Japanese supervision by
Allied prisoner-of-war labour as part of the 'Death
Railway' linking Thailand with Burma. Still in use today,
the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing
raids during 1945, and was rebuilt after the war ended.
The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections.
The bridge, is the focal point of a riverside area of
restaurants, souvenir and jewellery shops. Second World
War vintage steam locomotives and a peculiar hybrid
road/railcar from the same era comprise a small Railway
Museum on the bridge's eastern approach.
The lower floor displays items from
Burma and the upper floors exhibit artifacts from the
Ayuthaya period through to more modern times with many
fine examples of ceramics. The top levels hold portraits
from Thai history and royalty through the centuries.
A smaller building next to this larger one houses WWII
relics, photos and sketches.
 This enclave in the riverside
precincts of Wat Chaichumphon has been constructed largely
in the form of an Allied prisoner-of-war camp. The name
JEATH is derived from Japan, England, America, Australia,
Thailand and Holland. The thatched detention hut with
cramped, elevated bamboo bunks contains photographic,
pictorial and physical memorabilia dating from the Second
World War. Several prisoners-of-war who survived appalling
conditions have donated items from that time to add
to the museum's authenticity. Opening Hours: 8.30 AM
to 6.00 PM. Admission Fee: 20 Baht
The cave temple of the Golden Dragon is renowned in
more recent times due to the practice of one of the
elder nuns from the wat, she floats on the waters of
a pool while meditating, something she has since passed
onto younger generations. The long steep steps leading
to the cave above the wat, where the view is stunning,
is worth the climb. Don't forget your camera at the
bottom, as you will definitely need it when you get
to the top.
Both these temples are important local, pilgrimage
spots, especially for Chinese Buddhists. Both are built
on a ridge over a series of small caves and have rewarding
views from the top across the Kwai River on one side
and paddy fields, the other.
This
line is still in operation and snakes its way through
scenic, thrilling natural terrain, hugging the mountainside
at a dizzy height over the raging river far below. The
train leaves Kanchanaburi Station at 10.31 am. passing
over the bridge on the River Kwai a little later en
route Namtok Station
On Saeng Chuto Road, opposite the Railway Station, this
immaculately maintained cemetery contains the remains
of 6,982 allied prisoners-of-war who perished during
the construction of the 'Death Railway'. An estimated
16,000 Allied prisoners-of-war, and 49,000 forced labourers,
died during the construction of the 'Death Railway'
and Bridge over the the River Kwai.
Also known as Khao Phang Waterfall, about 60 kilometres
from town on Highway 323. The roadside cascade is best
visited between July - October, when water is most plentiful,
and is located 2 kilometres northwest of Nam Tok Railway
Station, the terminus of the branch line originating
in the provincial capital and which crosses the world-famous
bridge.
A part of Sai Yok National Park, 104 kilometres from
town on Highway 323. This flows directly into the Kwae
Noi River, and is the most popular in the 300 square-kilometre
of the park. Sai Yok National Park contains several
interesting caves which also entails a river trip for
visits. Human presence at Sai Yok is known to date back
to the Stone Age, and the Sai Yok Waterfall has been
repeatedly celebrated in Thai poetry and song. Bungalow
accommodations, raft houses and camping sites are available.
75 km from town, this largest cave in the area has stalactites
and stalagmites in several chambers. Visitors may take
boats from the Kwai Noi river Pak Saeng Pier, at Tambon
Tha Sao (southwest of Nam Tok Railway Station and Sai
Yok Noi Waterfall) to explore this cave, and travel
afterwards upstream to the riverine Sai Yok Yai Waterfall,
104 km from town.
This small settlement, some 225 km from Kanchanaburi,
edges the northernmost extremities of the Khao Laem
Dam reservoir. The scenic 75-km route from Khao Laem
Dam largely parallels the reservoir, passes several
raft complexes, botanical gardens and roadside waterfalls
and groups of partly submerged trees that line the reservoir
banks.
65 km from Kanchanaburi along Route 3199, this 550-square-km
national park is the site of the 7-tiered Erawan Waterfall,
widely regarded as being one of Thailand's loveliest
cascades. A mountainside forest setting includes dense
bamboo groves which support numerous bird species. There
are scores of pools down stream where one can take a
plunge in the refreshing spring water. The falls season
is between September and December and it is best to
visit the park on weekdays to avoid holiday crowds.
The park's other major attraction is the spectacular
Pra That Cave which contains monumental stalagmites.
Bungalow accommodation and camping facilities are available.
This p ark
covers 1,532 square km. Park headquarters are 105 km
from Kanchanaburi. Major park attractions include the
lovely 7-tiered Huai Khamin Waterfall, boat trips on
the scenic reservoir, and encroaching deciduous forests
and bamboo groves where kingfishers, parrots, bee-eaters,
hornbills, thrushes, wood-peckers, babblers and numerous
other bird species are readily seen. Larger, more elusive
animals within the park's remoter areas include deer,
elephants and tigers. Phra and Niramit Caves near the
park headquarters comprise other attractions. Bungalow
accommodation is available. The park's relative inaccessibility
necessitates either a punishing 40 km drive along a
dry weather track, and negotiable only by motorcycle,
pick-up trucks or 4 wheel-drive vehicles, or a 45-75
minute boat ride from the Ta Kradan Pier 24 km north
of the Sri Nagarind Dam.
69 km
from Kanchanaburi, and just 4 km north of the Erawan
National Park, this massive structure marks the southernmost
extremity of an extensive reservoir, which is part of
yet another national park. A hydroelectric dam with
vast reservoir over a former jungle valley. The view
point from the dam is of a tree-lined freshwater lake
stretching to the horizon.
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