If you're sitting in your hotel room in Bangkok and wondering where could you go, why not give Kanchanaburi a chance. The province rich with history and gorgeous floating hotels. You can choose from wide range of activities, be it adventurous or casual sightseeing. Now, grab your key and get the wheels rolling. Thanks to the modern technology, we don't need to go through the struggle of paper map. Let us mourn to those who lost their time and their way on the road trip. If you are planning on driving on your own, please read the following guide from TripAdvisor forum.
War Cemetery
A tourist stop. This place is a must-stop for all tours coming to Kanchanaburi. The burial ground of the Prisoner of War, the victim of the Japanese Army who lost their life constructing the Death Railway during the World War II.
The Bridge over the River Kwai
The world famous movie star. It is one of the most important landmarks in Thailand. The story of conflict and bloodshed is embed into the very core of this destination. With the awareness push from the movie, it continues to draw tourists' attention from around the World. If you happen to hired a driver, you can board the train to enjoy the scenery of the world most dangerous railway track and have your driver pick you up at the next stop. Krasae Cave.
Krasae Cave, Death Railway
If you happen to see the train at the River Kwai Bridge, you can choose either hopping on the train or hopping your car and drive to the next destination for the great highlight. Krasae cave is located the cliff just beside the railway above the Kwai Yai River. This is your best photo spot. The train will slowly approach and you will get the photo with combination of the train, the railway, the cliff, and the river. Else, you will also enjoy the thrill of walking on the railroad above the river. Be very careful as the track is not built for the safety of walking.
Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
The area that took many POWs life, the Hellfire Pass. They were cruelly forced to drill through the mountain with their barehands. Their only tools were pickaxe and shovels. Miraculously completed in six months, life after life is spent eroding through the rocks. Some people also leaves the photo at the location as the memorial of those who suffered. You will be walking moderately at this destination. It will be a little warm during the noon so choose your timing wisely.
Erawan Waterfall
I know some of you already want to relax at a place with no tragedy-filled history. Let's go and get wet at the most beautiful waterfall of this province, the Erawan Waterfall. I recommend visiting this place during the weekdays and possibly try to avoid public holiday. With less crowd, you can enjoy the waterfall at it's best. This is a great location of casual trek, sightseeing and even swimming. For foreign Visitor, there is a 300 THB National Park fee.
Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
Are you prepared to climb 157 steep steps to marvel at the temple atop the mountain? If the answer is no, then you can take the cable car. Visit the temple to see the largest Buddha statue in the province, Chin Prathanporn, which was built in 1973. This massive buddha statue reached 18 meters in height and 10 meters wide. Apart from these religious structure, you will be awed by the stunning panoramic view of rice fields, and Mae Klong river.
Meena Cafe
For locals, a visit to Kanchanaburi is not complete without visiting the highly rated cafe which has the view of vast rice fields and Wat Tham Suea from afar. There are various type of drinks you can choose from: Coffee, Soda drinks, Smoothie which ranged from 70-120 Thai Baht. Props like straw hats in different shapes are provided for shutterbugs. In my own opinion, just the view of the rice field already makes this place unskippable.
Kanchanaburi is a vast province that expands to the Myanmar Border. Hence, completing all destinations in the province would be impossible for a day trip. There are many great hotels and rafts to spend the night at. Some also offer jet ski renting and kayaking on the Kwai Yai river. The list is growing everyday, and thats a great news for us as a traveler. Happy traveling!