Bangkok and the River Kwai

China Town Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of at least eight million people, busy, hot and noisy, but don't let that put you off. Almost all sights are located in old Bangkok, east of the Chao Phraya River, with the royal palace, the most important temples such as Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho, the museums and Chinatown.

If you want to escape the hectic pace of the Thai metropolis for a day or more, you should go to Kanchanaburi, where the famous bridge over the River Kwai is located in the middle of one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Thailand. Thailand.
The Chao Phraya River Bangkok cutting in half is also handy, because with a boat you can get on and off wherever you want and take in all the beautiful things along the way.

Beginners will be happy for a few days in old Bangkok. The walled complex of the palace is like a fairyland. Another such crowd pleaser is the temple Wat Pho, the domain of the famous reclining Buddha: 46 meters long, 15 meters high and completely covered with gold leaf. There is also a center for traditional massage connected to Wat Pho, where you can have yourself treated for about six euros.

Bikes

Cycling in Bangkok? Is not that dangerous? Not if you join Bangkok Biking, an initiative of the Dutchman André Breuer. Another alternative is the company of Co van Kessel, who has been organizing bicycle tours through Bangkok for years. Co unfortunately passed away but his cycling trips continue.

Some roads are no more than a meter wide, lead over planks on posts over the water, or straight through street restaurants, markets or parks. Along the way we stop for something to drink or eat, or to visit a primitive studio. The highlight is a trip by boat to the island of Koh Kred, in the middle of the Chao Phraya River. The island is full of temples, eateries, shops with pots and stalls with sweets and fruit. You cycle on concrete paths along palm trees, reeds and bamboo with the occasional wooden house on stilts.

Bridge over The River Kwai

A city trip to Bangkok can be perfectly combined with Kanchanaburi, 130 km west of the capital. The best way to get there is by train from Bangkok Thonburi/Noi station. During weekends and holidays, special tourist trains also depart from Bangkok Hualamphong station to the area.

River Kwai

Thousands of Allied POWs worked on the Burma Railway in Kanchanaburi during World War II. One of the most infamous places along the railway was Hellfire Pass, a 1.200-foot passage through a mountain that had to be carved out by British and Australians, many of whom did not survive the slave labor. Here is also the famous and infamous Bridge over the River Kwai.

A book and a film were later made about the construction of the railway bridge. Please note that the film was not shot here and the story is not entirely in accordance with the truth. There is a railway museum and from Kanchanaburi you can take a train to Ban Nam Tok.

Waterfalls

You can easily spend two or three days in Kanchanaburi, because the rivers Kwai Noi, Kwai Yai, Maeklong and their valleys form one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Thailand. You can go down the Kwai River by bamboo raft, kayak, cycle or take a ride on the back of an elephant. You will also find seven impressive waterfalls. The Erawan Waterfall in the beautiful national park of the same name consists of seven floors. On various floors you can bathe in clear water in the company of curious schools of fish.

Nature and gastronomy can go well together in Thailand. In Apple's Retreat and Guesthouse in the center of Kanchanaburi you can not only stay overnight, but also learn how to cook delicious food. Noi and Apple take care of that in their Noi's Cooking School.