Kanchanaburi is a beautiful region located just 130 km northwest of Bangkok. The city has a rich history, beautiful waterfalls, impressive temples, and many night markets to explore. In this article, I will give you a list of the top things to do and see in Kanchanaburi.
Kanchanaburi is famous for being the site of the Death Railway, which was constructed during World War II by Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and Asian laborers under the brutal conditions imposed by the Japanese forces. The railway connected Thailand and Burma and was used to supply the Japanese military during the war.
Some key historic sites of the Death Railway are the River Kwai bridge, Tham Krasae Death Railway Bridge, and Hellfire Pass. You can visit many museums, and cemeteries to learn more history of the region.
Additionally, you can explore beautiful natural attractions such as the Erawan Waterfall and Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. Erawan Waterfall is a 7-levels waterfall and is one of the best waterfalls in Thailand.
There are also many temples to explore, including Wat Tham Suea, Wat Ban Tham, and Wat Tham Khao Pun. These temples offer stunning views of the Kwai River and the surrounding mountains. If you like hiking, you must check out Wat Tham Suea.
If you need recommendation on itinerary and getting around Kanchanaburi, you can read these articles:
- How to Spend 3-4 Days In Kanchanaburi
- Where to Stay in Kanchanaburi
- How to get to Kanchanaburi and Get Around
At night, you can eat at many night markets in Kanchanaburi town center. The most popular one is the JJ night market located near the train station. Other night markets are the markets near River Kwai Bridge, the Friday Wat Nuea Floating Market, and the Saturday Skywalk Night Market.
Kanchanaburi has many bars and restaurants, which offer more options for a night out. Most of these establishments are concentrated on the River Kwai street, the main road of Kanchanaburi.
Here are the top things to do in Kanchanaburi:
21 Things to Do in Kanchanaburi
Historical Sites
Kanchanaburi has several historical attractions scattered throughout the province. Here are some of the most significant historical sites:
#1. River Kwai Bridge
River Kwai Bridge is a must see historic attraction in Kanchanaburi. This is the part of the Death Railway built by Allied POWs and Asian laborers during WWII. The harsh conditions led to many deaths, and the bridge is a symbol of that history.
This bridge is located at the end of River Kwai Road, close to River Kwai Bridge Station. It is easily reachable by walking from the town center or taking a motorbike taxi/ Grab.
The bridge is free to explore. You can visit it at any time of the day, but the best time, in my opinion, is when the sun sets and when the train is crossing the bridge. The train crosses the bridge around 6.07am, 6.59am, 10.35am, 2.35pm, 4.26pm, and 5.22pm. You can ask locals for an updated train schedule.
The best way to explore the bridge is to take a walk on the bridge, and enjoy the river views. You can explore the night markets with lots of street food stalls at two ends of the bridge, visit the Chinese Temple, or take a boat ride on the river.
You can also consider taking the train ride from River Kwai Bridge to Tham Krasae railway bridge, which is another one of the key landmarks along the railway. Just check the train schedule, walk to the train station from the bridge, get on the train, and pay the ticket inside the train. It is 100 baht for foreigners to any destination.
#2. Tham Krasae Death Railway Bridge
The Tham Krasae Railway Bridge is one of the difficult parts to build on the Death Railway. The workers had to carve the track and bridge through cliffs and mountains. The conditions were extremely harsh, and many POWs lost their lives during its construction.
The Tham Krasae Railway Bridge is unique in that it is made of wood, unlike the famous concrete bridges such as the River Kwai bridge. One side of the train is the cliff, another side is the river, creating a spectacular view.
I just passed this train station when traveling by train from Kanchanaburi to Namtok. I didn’t stop at this train station, but still have stunning views from the left side of the train. Lot of tourists were standing on the side of the train track waiting for the train to pass and taking photos.
The bridge is free to explore. If you stop at Tham Krasae station, you can also visit Krasae Cave with a golden Buddha nearby. You can reach this train station easily by taking a train to Namtok from Bangkok or Kanchanaburi. The ticket is 100 baht and the journey is 1,5 hours from Kanchanaburi.
#3. Hellfire Pass
Hellfire Pass is a notorious section on the Death Railway. It was built by cutting through solid rock using primitive tools like picks and hammers. POWs from countries like Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands, as well as Asian laborers, were forced to work under horrendous conditions to construct the railway.
Thousands of POWs died due to malnutrition, disease, exhaustion, and abuse. The construction of this section of the railway was one of the most deadly parts of the entire project.
You can visit the museum first to learn about the history of the region, then take a walk along the old railway track. There are two trails, one short trail is 45 minutes and the longer trail will take around 3 hours to explore.
I visited in the midday and it was very hot, so I only took the short trail. On the trail, I walked through the bamboo forest, the timer boardwalk, Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass), and ended at the Memorial.
Hellfire Pass is free to enter and I spent 2 hours exploring the site. It is located 90 km northwest of the city center. I took the train to Namtok Train Station, then walked to the bus station to take a local bus to Hellfire Pass. On the way back, I took a bus straight to Kanchanaburi.
See more detail: Visiting Hellfire Pass from Kanchanaburi
#4. Death Railway Museum and Research Centre
This is a small museum located in the city center of Kanchanaburi close to the train station. The ticket is 170 baht for foreigners, including a free tea/coffee. You must check this museum if you are interested in the history of the Thai Burma Railway.
I believed that it had similar information as the museum at the Hellfire Pass, so I skipped this one.
#5. World War II & Jeath War Museum
This small museum is located within walking distance from River Kwai Bridge and is a great place to visit if you are interested in the history of World War II. The ticket is 50 baht. I didn’t visit this one but many people commented that it was not very well maintained.
#6. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (DonRak)
The War Cemetery is located in Kanchanaburi town center just across the road from the Death Railway Museum. It is a final resting place for thousands of POWs who died in the construction of the Death Railway during World War II.
The Cemetery is very well maintained and worth a look while in the town center.
#7. Chong Kai Allied War Cemetery
This Cemetery is located on the bank of Kwai River just a few minutes drive from Kanchanaburi town center. I had a quick visit to this place when traveling from Wat Tham Khao Pun back to Kanchanaburi.
Chong Kai is one of the work camps built during the construction of the Death Railway. This beautiful war cemetery is now the burial site of more than 1400 Commonwealth and 300 Dutch servicemen.
Natural attractions
Kanchanaburi is not only famous for its rich history, it also has many natural attractions to explore. The most famous sights are Erawan Waterfalls and Sai Yok Noi Waterfalls.
#8. Erawan Waterfalls
Erawan Waterfalls is one of the must-see attractions in Kanchanaburi. This is a beautiful 7-level waterfall with lush forests and clear emerald pools. It is a great destination for those who like hiking, swimming, and simply relax in the forest.
There are lots of restaurants and cafes at the parking areas, you can eat before or after the waterfall. You can also rent a golf car to the first level of the waterfall for 20 baht per person.
I walked all the way from the parking area to the top. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd waterfall is easy to reach. From the 4th to 7th level, you will need to climb steep stairs. You should go up to 5th, 6th, and 7th level after 3.30pm.
There are nice swimming pools at each level and there are lifeguards at these areas. You can stop at any level for swimming and just taking photos. There are free fish massages at the 7th level. I visited Erawan Waterfalls in mid November, the weather was very nice, and the pools were full of water.
Erawan is located 70 km north west of Kanchanaburi and easily accessible by bus. I took the bus from Kanchanaburi Bus Station at 8am, and arrived at the waterfall at 10am. The ticket is 60 baht one way. The bus stops right inside of the national park. The entrance to the national park is 300 baht.
There are several buses running each day, I recommend taking the earliest bus to have more time to explore the waterfall. The bus 8170 to Erawan runs at 8am,9am, 11.15am, and back to Kanchanaburi at 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4.30pm. I recommend checking with your hotel for an updated schedule.
See more: My Detail Guide to Erawan Falls
#9. Sai Yok Noi Waterfall (Khao Pang Waterfall)
Sai Yok Noi Waterfalls located within a short distance from Namtok train station. I visited this waterfall by train from Kanchanaburi, while waiting for the bus to Hellfire Pass. No ticket was charged at the entrance.
Located within Sai Yok National Park, this waterfall has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great spot to relax, enjoy nature, and escape the crowds, especially since it’s not as widely visited as Erawan Waterfall.
It attracts lots of local families to come here to play and have a picnic. It has lots of resting places and a cafe with waterfall views.
I saw some people climbing the rocks to get closer to the waterfall. You can explore the old train area, hike to the top, or check out the souvenir shops inside the area.
Night Markets
#10. JJ Night Market
JJ Night Market is a popular night market in the city center of Kanchanaburi, close to the train station. It was open everyday but there were more stalls on the weekends.
This market has lots of stalls selling delicious Thai food at reasonable prices. I felt it was cheaper and more delicious than eating in a restaurant on the Kwai River Road. I came to the market for dinner every night when I was in Kanchanaburi.
I tried rice with fried fish & egg omelet, roasted duck, mango sticky, pancake, and crispy pork. There are also clothing, souvenirs, and jewelry stalls on the market.
#11. Concentration Camp Market
This is a small night market located on the bank of the River, close to the historic River Kwai Bridge. It opens every night and has a nice setting with lots of tables and chairs. You can eat here and enjoy the views of the river and the bridge.
#12. Night Market near River Kwai Bridge
This is a small night market located next to the River Kwai Bridge, opposite the Concentration Camp Market. You can find several stalls here selling food, drinks, and souvenirs. I visited in mid November during Loy Krathong festival, there were many stalls selling traditional Thai flowers.
#13. Wat Nuea Floating Market on Friday
This is a small local night market located on the bank of the Kwai River close to Somdet Phra Sangharaja Yannasangwon Bridge. If you happen to be in Kanchanaburi on Friday night, you must check out this place. It has live music and a wide variety of dishes.
#14. Night Market near Skywalk on Saturday
This is another big night market located in the waterfront area near the Skywalk. This market is held every Saturday night and has lots of street food options. It is a bit further away from the town center, so I used Grab Bike to reach this market from my hotel.
I didn’t eat anything at the market, just had a very nice 30 foot massage at the massage shop on the side of the street. It was a cheap and good massage for only 100 baht.
You can take a leisure walk along the waterfront, buy a ticket to explore the Sky Walk, or visit the nearby Wat Thewa Songkhram temple.
Temples & Cultural Attractions
#15. Wat Ban Tham
Wat Ban Tham is a nice temple located 10 km south of Kanchanaburi. It is a peaceful temple with beautiful views of the river and the mountains. It is also a great destination for hiking.
The temple is open everyday and it is free to enter. You can reach it by songthaew or motorbike taxi. I hired a private driver to visit Wat Ban Tham and other attractions such as Wat Tham Suea, Meena Cafe, and Giant Pod Tree.
From the parking area, you’ll cimb up the red stairs to reach the Heavenly Dragon Cave and the Buddha Statue. This takes around 20 minutes, including time walking around taking photos.
From the Big Buddha area, you climb up the steel stair to get out of the cave, and continue climbing outside the mountains. It took me another 30 minutes to reach the top. There are several viewpoints along the way, and some sections have very steep stairs.
I recommend going to the temple early to avoid the heat. If you bring a bottle of water with you, don’t throw it on the trail, bring it with you down to the trash bin in the parking area.
#16. Wat Tham Suea – The Tiger Cave Temple
Wat Tham Suea is located just a few minutes drive from Wat Ban Tham. It is a beautiful and peaceful temple complex with a Big Buddha and stunning views of the rice fields and the river. The temple is open daily and free to enter. It does not require not of climbing like at Wat Ban Tham.
You can easily reach this temple by Grab Bike, songthaew, or take guided tours. At the temple, if you don’t like hiking up, you can take the tram ride for 40 baht 2 ways.
#17. Wat Tham Khao Pun
Wat Tham Khao Pun is an underground temple located within a 10-15 minute drive from Kanchanaburi. The entrance fee is 30 baht. You can walk down the caves and visit different Buddha rooms.
I visited this temple late afternoon and there was only me inside the temple. It is a safe place but I would visit it again alone. It is better to have someone going with you.
Outside of the underground temple, you can hike up to the top of Chedi Thong Wat Tham Khao Pun. My driver took me to the top near the red stairs with his car then I walked up to the chedi. It has stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains.
There is also a cut-through train track nearby. You can check the train schedule and walk to this place taking photos when the train passes. You can also find several nice cafes with views of the river in the same area as Wat Tham Khao Pun temple.
#18. Giant Raintree (Monkey Pod Tree)
The Gian Raintree is a big and ancient tree located south of Kanchanaburi center. It is in the same area with Wat Ban Tham and Wat Tham Suea. You can combine the visit to The Gian Raintree with these temples.
This place is open space and is free to enter. It has a massive canopy that spreads wide, creating a large shaded area and peaceful environment. You can take a leisure walk on the wooden bridge around the tree.
There are souvenir shops and cafes nearby with the view of the trees. It is a great place for a quick visit to admire its grandeur, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Other attractions
#19. Meena Cafe
Meena Cafe is one of several cafes near Wat Tham Suea that has stunning views of this temple and the rice fields. To access this cafe, you’ll need to order at least a drink. I had mango smoothies and it costs 100 baht.
After taking orders, you can choose the seats anywhere close to the rice field. You can take a walk on the wooden bridge and at the end of the bridge are the hammocks. Nice place to chill and enjoy the views of the green/yellow rice fields and the temple.
#20. Stay in a floating house on River Kwai
River Kwai is a long river running through the Kanchanaburi province. You can consider staying in a floating house on the lake for a quiet retreat. You can find several resorts and hotels that offer this kind of accommodation on the far north of Kanchanaburi center.
#21. Cooking Class
There are several cooking classes in Kanchanaburi. It is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Thai culture and learn how to prepare authentic Thai dishes. It can be cheaper to have private cooking classes in Kanchanaburi than other busy cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
These are my list of top 21 things to do and see in Kanchanaburi. I hope you’ve found this post helpful and know what you want to do in Kanchanaburi by now.