Children’s Activities
Kanchanaburi’s greatest attractions for young visitors are its natural assets, which can provide endless hours of fun for kids of all ages. The national parks that are located within easy reach of the town are ideal places for family days out, either with the help of a tour operator or independently. The Kanchanaburi Safari Park is a zoo with a difference and a destination sure to bring smiles to the faces of holidaymakers of all ages.
Hotel Activities Some of Kanchanaburi’s more upmarket hotels cater well to the needs of young guests with facilities such as kid’s clubs and games rooms, while some of those with riverside locations offer water-based activities and games. Try the Pung-Waan Resort or Pavilion Rim Kwai Resort for a good selection of entertainment options for little ones.
 Kanchanaburi Safari Park A 25 mile (40km) drive from the town in the direction of Bo Phloi brings you to the Kanchanaburi Safari Park, a manmade facility housing a varied selection of wild animals. While the animal enclosures here are artificially landscaped, efforts have been made to mimic the natural habitats of each animal as closely as possible. From the safety of a hire car or tour bus, kids will revel in the sights of lions, tigers, bears, zebras, giraffes and other fascinating creatures. Some of the non-predatory animals are tame enough to be fed from the bus windows with the bowls of food on sale at the park. The parks other highlights include elephant, crocodile and dog shows plus themed sections such as the Butterfly Garden and Macaw Land. Phone: +66 34 531888; website: www.kanchanaburisafaripark.com/.
 Outdoor Fun While some of the organised outdoor activities that are available in Kanachaburi are unsuitable for children, such as trekking, the national parks in the province offer all manner of fun activities from picnics to bathing in waterfalls. These parks can be visited independently or with a tour group. Older children may like to take part in activities such as cycling, kayaking and bamboo rafting, all of which can be supervised by a local tour operator.
 Swimming Stay at a reputable hotel such as the River Kwai Resotel, Pung-Waan Resort & Spa or Pavilion Rim Kwai Resort and your kids will have access to a swimming pool. A godsend on days where it’s too hot to sightsee, swimming pools provide the perfect way to cool down. Parents can relax on a sun lounger with a cool drink and a good book while little ones enjoy a splash around or pool game with other kids.
Cultural Activities
For many visitors, Kanchanaburi’s cultural attractions are its chief appeal, particularly for older visitors with an interest in the town’s WWII history. There are a number of attractions at which the Thai-Burmese railway is explored and others that take a more general look at how the war affected the province. As is the case with anywhere in Thailand, there are plenty of Buddhist temples (wat) to visit, with several unusual and unique examples.
 Ban Kao National Museum During the construction of the infamous ‘Death Railway,’ a Dutch prisoner of war discovered a burial site which historians later deemed to contain items dating back to Neolithic times. Situated around 22 miles (35kms) from the town centre, the Ban Kao Museum was built close to the original site and now houses many of the items found. Visitors are able to view pots and other earthenware items, remains of tools and weapons, jewellery fashioned from the bone of animals and human skeletal remains. Phone +66 3465 405.
Gallery and War Museum at the Bridge This popular tourist centre offers an art gallery at which visitors can view paintings depicting classic Thai-Burmese battles, murals telling of key events from Thai history, portraits of famous Thai political figures and representations of Chinese deities. There are also wooden carvings and ceramics. Another building of the centre houses a WWII museum in which artefacts, photographs and sketches from the conflict are on display.
 JEATH War Museum This open-air museum contains exact replicas of the huts that the POWs who worked on the ‘Death Railway’ were forced to live in among other exhibits. There are genuine bunks from the original settlement, along with pictures of some of the soldiers who worked on and lost their lives to the railway. The acronym ‘JEATH’ stands for Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland, indicating the nationalities of the prisoners who resided in the huts. The museum has been open since 1977 and is run by Buddhist monks.
 Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park Ancient ruins dating back tens of thousands of years can be found 25 miles (40kms) west of Kanchanaburi at the Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park on the back of the Kwai Noi River. There are a number of structural remains at the site including ramparts and laterite walls believed to be from a 13th century outpost of the Khmer empire. Renovation of the site began in 1974, with the removal of the excessive vegetation that the ruins had accumulated. A museum with information on the Khmer and pre-Khmer civilisations that once occupied the area was later added.
 Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Kanchanaburi’s most detailed collection of information and artefacts relating to the infamous ‘Death Railway’ can be found at this fascinating museum facility. The museum’s interactive displays provide visitors with a comprehensive insight into the history of the railway, examining the work that went into connecting Ban Pong in Thailand to Thanbuyuzayat in Myanmar (Burma) and the men who were responsible for the line’s construction.
Wat Ku Tao Situated within the town, Wat Ku Tao is one of Kanchanaburi’s oldest temples, featuring a chedi that dates back to 1613. The ancient stupa is notable for featuring five male forms, each of which is intended to represent the Buddha.
Wat Nuea Pagoda Offering distinct Chinese architectural influences, Wat Nuea Pagoda is markedly different from the typical Thai pagoda designs which are found throughout the country. Located by the river, the pagoda is a vibrant coloured structure, which besides being of great significance to local Thai-Chinese Buddhists, makes for some great photograph material for tourists.
Dining & Shopping
Kanchanaburi is a popular tourist destination attracting Thais from other provinces at weekends and public holidays, overseas visitors on group tours and a steady supply of backpacking travellers. The town has, consequently, made considerable effort to supply visitors with a good selection of dining establishments to suit all tastes.
Visitors will find plenty of Thai-owned eateries that are frequented by the locals but also welcoming of tourists, as well as an abundance of establishments aimed primarily at foreigners. By venturing into the typically Thai eateries you will find the most authentic Thai food and the cheapest prices. However, not all Thai eateries have menus in English or English-speaking staff. The more upmarket hotels in the town have their own onsite restaurants with international menus should you favour Western cuisine.
 River Kwai road is a popular restaurant zone and here you’ll find a mixed selection of establishments, many of which offer authentic Thai food at reasonable prices as well as some fine riverside scenery. Several restaurants are built on rafts that float on the surface of the river; these are popular with Thais and often feature live music.
 Shopping in Kanchanaburi is a mixed bag, with outlets selling modern and imported goods such as clothing, electronics and household items as well as others offering Thai handicrafts, edible produce and the usual selection of inexpensive souvenirs. You won’t find anything like the selection of products available in Bangkok, but visitors will find everything they need here. Of an evening, there are some small night market areas, ideal spots to pick up souvenirs.
 The nearby Bo Phloi district has jewel mines, the stones from which can be bought in various shops in Kanchanaburi. Exercise caution when making a purchase as scams are common. It is best to buy from a reputable trader in order to guarantee what you are buying is the genuine thing.
Outdoor Activities
 Fishing As far as anglers are concerned, Kanchanaburi is the perfect place for freshwater fishing, offering numerous spots where the action is hot. Additionally, a wide variety of species are available to those with patience and skill. Besides the River Kwai, popular fishing locations in the province include the Phae Nam Jone River, which can be reached by boat from the Sri Nakharin Dam and promises the possibility of catching transverse bellbarb and striped tiger nandid among other species.
 Golf Kanchanaburi offers a large selection of facilities for fans of this ever-popular pursuit. Whatever time of year you arrive, you can be sure that there will be plenty of pleasant greenery surrounding the fairways. Among the most popular courses in the area are the Grand Garden Golf Club, Mission Hills Country Club, River Kwai Golf Club and the Blue Sapphire Golf Club. All courses welcome non-members and clubs and caddies are available for hire.
 River Rafting The Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi rivers are the perfect places to enjoy a spot of boating, whether in a canoe, kayak or inflatable raft or something more primitive such as a bamboo raft. Local tour companies provide all the facilities and know-how for visitors, with excursions ranging from half-day to full-day and overnight affairs.
Trekking Kanchanaburi offers some fantastic trekking opportunities to off the beaten track destinations where you can experience the indigenous flora and fauna in their wildest and most natural states. There are local tour companies offering organised treks in Sai Yok, Erawan, Chaloem Rattanakosin and Srinagarindra national parks. Participants are expected to be in good health and have a minimum level of physical fitness. Trekking conditions can be challenging, especially in the hot season, so be sure to choose a trek suited to your ability.
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