Kanchanaburi"s Notable Landmarks: A Glimpse of Another Thai Treasure
The scenic natural landscapes, colorful culture, exciting activities, and reputable Kanchanaburi hotel accommodations make up the perfect fusion of everything that a vacation should have. Being one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Thailand, a visit in this province will never disappoint any traveler. And if you're up for a historical tour to satisfy your craving for learning, Kanchanaburi is definitely the place to be. To give you a glimpse of the interesting characters of this place, here's 5 of the most notable landmarks that define the province.
1. Death Railway
Unarguably, this is the most prominent attraction that reflects the history of Kanchanaburi. The Burma-Thailand Railway was built in 1943 by thousands of prisoners of war and Asian laborers. Originally, it was conceived as as aid to move the supplies to the Burmese front where the Japanese were fighting the British forces. All the heavy duties were done manually or with the help of an elephant. Throughout the construction, the workers lived in squalor and were subjected to brutality. Today, the Death Railway still stands as a witness and remembrance of a tragic ordeal.
2. Three Pagodas Pass
The Three Pagoda Pass (Phra Chedi Sam Ong) connects the district of Sangkhlaburi, Thailand with Pyathonzu in Myanmar. This strategic location was last used by the Japanese Army during the construction of the Burma-Thailand Railway. The 3 sacred shrines are believed to have been built in the 4th century and regarded by the locals as symbols of peace. These 3 pagodas appear in the provincial seal of the province in stylized form.
3. Tiger Temple
Also known as the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bu, the Tiger Temple is a beautiful Buddhist sanctuary that houses a wide variety of animals. Although the temple's holdings are diverse, its tigers are by far the most popular for the thousands of visitors coming to see the place. At present, the tame tigers are kept in cages. During your visit, you'll see an army of lay handlers parading the tigers to a man-made sand pit. Once in the quarry, the tigers are chained and the spectators are allowed to have photos taken while petting the animals.
4. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery or Don-Rak War Cemetery is considered as the primary graveyard of the victims of the Death Railway tragedy. The place is surrounded by beautiful gardens and well kept up by local volunteers. According to the official records, 6,982 former POWs are buried here. Located along the Saeng Chuto Road, the cemetery is close to Thailand-Burma Railway Center, a museum about the railway and the prisoners who built it.
5. Bridge over the River Kwai
This bridge over the River Kwai is probably the most photographed attraction in the province. The original structure was bomed during the war, but it was reconstructed to serve as the immortal symbol of the Death Railway inhumane ordeal. Placed against a scenic backdrop of the river, tourists are permitted to walk on it and cross over to the other side of the bridge. To learn about the history of this landmark, it would be better if you'll visit the JEATH Museum first. Many hotel accommodations in Kanchanaburi, Thailand offer guided tours in this depository.
1. Death Railway
Unarguably, this is the most prominent attraction that reflects the history of Kanchanaburi. The Burma-Thailand Railway was built in 1943 by thousands of prisoners of war and Asian laborers. Originally, it was conceived as as aid to move the supplies to the Burmese front where the Japanese were fighting the British forces. All the heavy duties were done manually or with the help of an elephant. Throughout the construction, the workers lived in squalor and were subjected to brutality. Today, the Death Railway still stands as a witness and remembrance of a tragic ordeal.
2. Three Pagodas Pass
The Three Pagoda Pass (Phra Chedi Sam Ong) connects the district of Sangkhlaburi, Thailand with Pyathonzu in Myanmar. This strategic location was last used by the Japanese Army during the construction of the Burma-Thailand Railway. The 3 sacred shrines are believed to have been built in the 4th century and regarded by the locals as symbols of peace. These 3 pagodas appear in the provincial seal of the province in stylized form.
3. Tiger Temple
Also known as the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bu, the Tiger Temple is a beautiful Buddhist sanctuary that houses a wide variety of animals. Although the temple's holdings are diverse, its tigers are by far the most popular for the thousands of visitors coming to see the place. At present, the tame tigers are kept in cages. During your visit, you'll see an army of lay handlers parading the tigers to a man-made sand pit. Once in the quarry, the tigers are chained and the spectators are allowed to have photos taken while petting the animals.
4. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery or Don-Rak War Cemetery is considered as the primary graveyard of the victims of the Death Railway tragedy. The place is surrounded by beautiful gardens and well kept up by local volunteers. According to the official records, 6,982 former POWs are buried here. Located along the Saeng Chuto Road, the cemetery is close to Thailand-Burma Railway Center, a museum about the railway and the prisoners who built it.
5. Bridge over the River Kwai
This bridge over the River Kwai is probably the most photographed attraction in the province. The original structure was bomed during the war, but it was reconstructed to serve as the immortal symbol of the Death Railway inhumane ordeal. Placed against a scenic backdrop of the river, tourists are permitted to walk on it and cross over to the other side of the bridge. To learn about the history of this landmark, it would be better if you'll visit the JEATH Museum first. Many hotel accommodations in Kanchanaburi, Thailand offer guided tours in this depository.