Best of Kanchanaburi: River Kwai Bridge, Burma Railway, Tiger Cave Temple & Tham Krasae Cave

There is something hauntingly beautiful about Kanchanaburi. One of the hot seats of the World War II, the dark past of this pretty little town has been a bewitching attraction for thousands of travellers. This tour of the Allied War Cemetery, the JEATH War Museum, the bridge over River Kwai and of course, the Death Railway will give you fix of adrenaline you will not forget in a while.

Kanchanaburi’s antiquity goes back to the 1940s when it was controlled by the Japanese and became the infamous site for the Burma Railway, built by Allied prisoners of war (POW) and unwilling Asian labourers. Also known as the Death Railway, the project has been imprinted in history for the innumerable deaths it caused - most of the labourers died from diseases as well as accidents and the railway line itself led to the death of the Siamese kingdom. We will head to the Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery first which houses the graves of close to 7000 prisoners of war, and is surrounded by an ambiance of solemnity which invokes both a tragic sense of sorrow for the immense suffering of mankind in wars as well as a reverence for the soldiers who lay down their lives protecting the common man. Continue your historical sojourn at the JEATH War Museum where you can experience the inception of the Death Railway as well as admire intriguing war memorabilia, including paintings and weapons of the prisoners.

Next up is the nefarious bridge over the Kwai River which had been ravaged numerous air raids and has inspired the prominent novel, The Bridge over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle. Comprising of two bridges - wooden and steel - used by the trains to cross Kwai, formerly known as Mae Khlong, this iconic structure suffered the worst attack on November 29, 1944, when three bombs demolished the bridges in an attempt to attack the Japanese anti-aircraft battery nearby and buried numerous POWs in the process. A charming Chinese temple also lies at the mouth of the bridge where we will make a quick stop before boarding the notoriously famous Burma Rail. The trail ride makes for an epic thrill, giving you goosebumps as it swerves around the hills and speeds across the bridge. At the end of the ride, we will make a short trip to the Tham Kra Sae cave where you can see an ornate Buddha statue and also indulge in a delicious lunch at the railway station.

Our final halt for the day is the twin delight of Wat Tham Sua and Wat Tham Khao Noi, two spectacular pagodas towering over the Kanchanaburi townscape. Situated atop a limestone hill, Tham Sua is a Thai style monastery while Tham Khao Noi is built with Chinese characteristics, both shining as visions of architectural grandeur and offering sensations views of the rolling suburban landscape. End your day feasting your eyes on the stunning Kanchanaburi town and satiating your soul with the fascinating symbiosis of human and natural creations.