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KanchanaburiEducational activities

Our most recommended Kanchanaburi Educational activities

From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

1. From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

Learn about the construction of the Burma Railway, also known as the “Death Railway,” on this 10-hour historical tour to Kanchanaburi, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will tour the well-kept War Cemetery, where the graves of an estimated 9,000 Allied soldiers are tended. They perished while constructing the notorious "Death Railway,” which the Japanese had hoped would stretch all the way to the Burmese border. Uncover the terrible history of the railway at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, research, and information center dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway built during World War II. See the past recreated and relived with pictures and artifacts. You will also ride a train along the original Death Railway track, with a sumptuous lunch awaiting at the disembarkation station. Return to Bangkok in the late afternoon for your hotel drop-off.

From Bangkok: Erawan Park & Kanchanaburi Small-Group Tour

2. From Bangkok: Erawan Park & Kanchanaburi Small-Group Tour

Tour the region of Kanchanaburi in West Thailand and uncover local history on this guided day trip. During this memorable day trip from Bangkok, visit the Death Railway which was put on the map by the 1957 movie, 'Bridge Over the River Kwai.' Begin at one the JEATH Museum, dedicated to the Allied Prisoners of War who died building the Burmese railway. This museum is a sad yet important reminder of Thailand’s history. It’s thought that over 100,000 lives were lost during this period.  Visit the historic Bridge over the River Kwai for your next stop. Have the chance to walk over the bridge, admire the impressive scenery, and take a moment to remember the past, before returning to your accommodations/meeting point in the evening. Continue to one of the country’s best-loved national parks, Erawan National Park. Connect with pristine nature at the Erawan Waterfall which has seven tiers, turquoise pools, and a set of limestone caves at its base. Have the chance to admire the impressive scenery and take a moment to remember the past, before returning to your accommodations/meeting point in the evening.

Elephant Sanctuary & Kanchanaburi Highlights Tour

3. Elephant Sanctuary & Kanchanaburi Highlights Tour

This full-day tour begins when you meet with the group and drive to ElephantsWorld. Learn about this sanctuary for old and rescued elephants, who will spend their remaining years well cared for in a natural environment. Help care for the animals by feeding them, gathering food and bathing them. Around noon, enjoy a buffet lunch before heading out to see the major attractions of Kanchanaburi. Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, which is part of the infamous Death Railway, built by prisoners during World War II. Continue your tour with a stop at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the final resting place of 6,982 allied prisoners who died during the construction of the railway.

From Bangkok: Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating Market Visit

4. From Bangkok: Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating Market Visit

Start your tour with pickup from your hotel in Bangkok at 7 AM and discover the highlights of the Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand in just one day. Enjoy a private day trip to visit Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Travel to the Maeklong Railway Market where you can see the trains passing. Take a private boat tour through the Damnoensaduak Floating Market and see the farms and traditional Thai-style houses along the canal. Walk around the first floating market of Thailand, where the villagers sell fruit and other food products on their paddle boats. Afterward, enjoy transfer to Kanchanaburi Province where you will have an optional Thai lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the bridge over the River Kwai and learn about its WWII history. Visit Krasae Cave Bridge and board the train from Krasae Cave Station to Tha-Kilen Station. End your tour with drop off at your hotel in Bangkok at around 7:00 PM.

Kanchanaburi: River Kwai and Death Railway Day Tour

5. Kanchanaburi: River Kwai and Death Railway Day Tour

Make the most of your day of adventure and start early with a smooth pickup from your accommodation in Kanchanaburi, or meet your guide at the Kanchanburi Bus Terminal. Catch up on sleep in the comfy air-conditioned van on the way to your first stop, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Walk along the perfectly kept grounds as you honor the fallen soldiers and prisoners of war and civilians who died while working on the infamous Death Railway (Siam-Burma Railway) under the Japanese Empire. Head to the JEATH Museum, built to commemorate those who lost their lives while working on the railway during World War II. The JEATH War Museum was named after the nationalities of those that worked on the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai, and Hollander. Examine exhibits from the war such as weapons, tools, uniforms, medals, and replicas of the living conditions the prisoners of war lived in. Make a quick stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai, where you’ll experience the subject of your earlier history lessons. At Tham Krasae Station, a picturesque railway section that snakes around a cliff, admire the views, see the trains pass by, and fill up on some tasty lunch. Enjoy a quick coffee break before stopping at Wat Tham Suea, otherwise known as the Tiger Cave Temple. Don’t miss the tiger paw prints on its cave walls and the large, gleaming, 18-meter-tall Buddha statue at the top. Make the steep hike and be rewarded with a close-up view of the statue as well as the impressive scenery of the surrounding landscape. After exploring and taking photos at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), begin your journey back to your accommodation with some of Thailand’s unforgettable history engraved in your mind.

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What people are saying about Kanchanaburi

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 8 reviews

I would definitely recommend this excursion if you tee looking for a great day out. Visiting the historical war cemetery and the bridge/death railway was an honour. Our tour guide (Na) was excellent as she had a wealth of knowledge and took so many picture for us. We were driven to each site in a comfortable AC car and had plenty of time to walk around. As it was only two of us we felt like we had a private tour and we never felt rushed when looking around. We also went to a local restaurant for lunch but I think a lot of tour guides frequent the same place. Nonetheless the food was great and very good value! It was a great day out and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Wow, wow, wow! What an absolute joy it was going on this tour. Our tour guys, driver and then sanctuary guide were all informative, professional and so kind. We had the opportunity to feed the elephants, learn about each one, make food for the oldest one, and feed her, then help to give them a mud bath and then a wash. It was incredible. We even got to feel the baby move in the pregnant elephant. She is due in a few months. We also saw the bridge and cemetery- another moving experience. Honestly, we had a great time and would recommend this tour without a doubt.

Our tour guide Tony was awesome! Only advice if you are going on this trip is to bring swim attire if you want to swim in waterfalls! I didn’t bring anything since the tour didn’t mention anything about possible swimming. Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes! The hike up to the 7th tier at the waterfall is no joke and a challenging hike. Other then that, great tour and do appreciate the assistance!

Wonderful and helpful guide who transported us to and from Kanchanaburi. We then had a brilliant time at the elephant sanctuary. This trip was really worth it as we got to learn about elephants and spend lots of time with them, while still getting to explore kanchanaburi and it’s history.

We had a great time with Scott and our driver Mr. O. We learned a lot and the whole trip was planned perfectly. We would recommend it to everyone! :)