Kanchanaburi (Bangkok) > Reviews > A must visit

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Shopping	Poor
Nightlife	Poor
Ease of getting around	Average
Family Friendly	Average

Advantages:	A little adventure
Disadvantages:	basic

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Kanchanaburi is a very special place. I have been to Thailand twice for a month each time and I made sure I revisited Kanchanaburi the second time. Kanchanaburi is about 2 hours drive west of Bangkok, some people take only a day to visit on an organised tour and only go to the war graves and the bridge over the river Kwai ( which got its fame from the film of the same name). Although it is interesting to do these things it is worth a longer stay as it has more to offer. On my first visit which was organised through a tour operator in Bangkok me and my partner stayed in some very basic accomodation on the river, infact it was so basic we had to more some where else. this accomodation was part of kitty raft tour. I do recomend staying in accomodation that is more expensive on its own island! Its name is Kasem Island resort, it has its own boat to go back and forward between mainland.
Whilst there you should also check out the Tiger Temple, a drive outside of the town, you can go on a tour or with your own driver. This is a temple of budist monks that have taken in orphaned tigers. You can make a contribution to enter and can sit with the tame tigers. Many animal activists would protest places like this but it is clear that the monks look after the animals that would otherwise have been killed. There was even a documentary or 2 on the discovery channel singing its praises.
For an adventure go rafting on the river kwai, you can be taken out by locals on bamboo made rafts.
The erawan waterfall ( or the 7 steps) is a hike up '7 steps' of a waterfall. At each point you get to see a different waterfall. Trainers required. Take a towel and swimming gear if you want to swim at any of the points. This should take most of a day to leisurely get to the top and back. Advise not to go when it has been raining very heavily as it gets muddy and waterfalls can flood.
It is also possible to go elephant trecking. These things can be arranged either in Bangkok or when in Kanchanaburi.
Take plenty of insect repelant as mosquitos are more dangerous here.