Kanchanaburi province
One of Thailand's most spectacular provinces, Kanchanaburi province is extremely popular with backpackers, independent travellers and Thais alike -- pick any household in Thailand and chances are you'll find a poster of one of the many beautiful waterfalls in the province.
Just a couple of hours from Bangkok, the province boasts numerous national parks, spectacular mountain and riverine scenery and a near endless collection of caves and waterfalls. Pack your books, mosquito repellent and sunscreen -- this is a great province for nature-lovers.
The same-named provincial capital has long been a backpacker favourite. Kanchanaburi town has a wealth of outstanding backpacker-orientated guesthouses and a host of travel agencies that can arrange one, two, three and four day treks into the hinterland. These treks, often including rafting, caving, the Tiger Temple and the odd elephant ride offer an excellent opportunity for first-time visitors to Thailand to get a taste of what the country has to offer.
During weekends, bus-loads of Bangkokians descend into Kanchanaburi for some serious karaoke, eating, drinking and perhaps some soaking up of the clean air and natural beauty or cooling off in one of the province's many beautiful waterfalls. Erawan National Park is a particular favourite. Across weekdays though, the atmosphere is far more laid back and you can often venture into the parks only to find that you have the entire place to yourself.
Aside from the parks and their waterfalls, Kanchanaburi is best known for the Death Railway which was built through the province during World War II. Thousands died during its construction and there are a couple of cemeteries and an outstanding museum dedicated to this portion of Kanchanaburi's heritage. The Hellfire Pass Museum should be considered an absolute must-see.
Further afield, the stunning town of Sangkhlaburi sits just shy of the Burmese Border and offers both splendid scenery, fascinating Mon culture and further opportunities for trekking, rafting and boat trips. The town sits on the banks of an artificial lake which submerged the original town and in dry season you can explore the exposed ruins of what remains.
Kanchanaburi is also great for motorbiking -- two major land routes, Route 323 and Route 3199, follow the banks of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai Rivers and allow access to most of the key sights within Kanchanaburi. The roads are in fine condition and outside of town, the traffic is mostly light. For the independent traveller (who can ride a motorbike) this is a fine way to explore the province.
For those not interested in touring by motorbike, there are both an ample public transport system and numerous travel agents in Kanchanaburi town who can help you choose from a range of day tours of the province -- these can be a great way to see a lot in a short period of time, and provide an excellent opportunity to meet other backpackers.
