Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai

The original wooden bridge depicted in the movie was a temporary bridge built while the bridge you see above was being constructed both were bombed by the allies the wooden one was not rebuilt and has now rotted away. The river itself is beautifully clear and the views along the banks are stunning it also contains the world only freshwater stingray. Crossing the bridge on foot is free but be very careful there are gaps in the wooden planking but not any real danger, trains also cross the bridge, but always at a snails pace and there are plenty of platforms to step out of the way.

Most of the visitors are young often backpackers from Europe and North America, but very large numbers of tourists are Japanese often younger Japanese which also comes as something of a surprise. as you walk across the bridge try to imagine that they say one man died for every wooden support for the lines not only on the bridge but along the entire rail line.

Wachiralongkorn Dam   Part of  the Mea Klong river development which covers the area of 3 million rai 12 km’s from Kanchanaburi.
Wat Tham Khao Noi and Wat Tham Seua  A large Chinese style temple complex at tambon Muang chum
Local and international tour operators can arrange all kinds of day/ overnight three day trips from the town including the attractions above and many others such as bamboo river rafting, white water rafting, leisure cruise on the river, canoe trips, freshwater big game fishing, hot natural spa’s, visit hill tribe Karen village, elephant treks and much more all these things tend to be out of town so practical to organise on your own.

Festivals
Boat and Raft Festival A colourful festival at the beginning of November there are boat races and water sports games are held at this annual in the area of Khun Phan Dam.
River Kwai Bridge Festival Every year last week in November into first week of December the River Kwai bridge festival where a spectacular sound and light show tells the story of the ‘Death Railway’ there is also a large fair.
Yoei Dance Festival  During Songkran and New Year festivals is a kind of folk play that has been performed for more than 500 years.. There are male and female actors formed in a circle. A player takes turn to sing his/her own verses. There is also dance with the music from a long drum band. 
Ban Nong Khao Fair  Held during the Songkran festival in April at Wat Intharam..  promotes the culture and traditions of the local villagers, games, play performances, bull races, are demonstrations of sweet making, cloth weaving, a beauty queen contest, and lots of other entertainment

Erwan Waterfall

Museums
The War Museum is one of two war museums about theDeath Railway It is located only approx. 300 meters from in Kanchanaburi. It includes a prehistoric view on the province. Entrance fee 60
The Jeath War Museum is located in the grounds of a temple at the junction of the Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi Rivers aprox 3 Km downstream from the bridge and is open daily from 08:30 to 18:00 and Entrance 30.
Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum Commemorates the 1000 Australian and British troops who dug through this mountain pass mostly with bare hands, over 700 died in the process. Entrance free donation appreciated trips available in town or by taxi usually included in excursions from Bangkok.

There is no dought that the fame of Kanchanaburi comes directly from the 1957 movie The Bridge on the River Kwai that starred Alec Guinness. The movie depicted the terrible conditions the alied and Asian POW's had to endure to build this small part of the 'Death Railway' and 50 years later the image is still strong even with people not born for 30 years after the movie let alone the actual events.