Kanchanaburi Guide by @bigbirdstravels

Joshua:If you love Hot Springs and want a cool experience this is the place to come. First of all you find it after driving down a bumpy old dirt road which leads you to the entrance, you feel at first as though you’ve entered a farm with dogs and all sorts of birds around. Make your way to the reception where you are greeted warmly and offered an arrival drink. They then give women a Thai dress which they will help you know how to wear and men thai shorts that you wear during your time in the spa. After making sure your well informed and know all you need to they point you in the direction of the hot springs. There are 15 different pools to choose from and of course it’s good to start at 1, by the time you get to 5 or 6 you’ve reached the pools with added ingredients, from anything like milk, coffee, Chinese herbs and many more. There’s also two pools that contain fish which will nibble away at your feet 😊 you can’t get food here so make sure you’ve eaten before hand but you can get fresh juice which is lovely. We’ve been here twice and loved everything about it!

Joshua:We stayed here for around 3 nights and it was really lovely. Very peaceful with a colonial style and it felt like you was back in Thailand maybe 10 years ago, with amazing buildings, bedrooms and gardens! The staff was friendly and the breakfast was tasty and had a great variety. We had a massage in the spa as well and this was a highlight for us so if you have time you must try it! Situated on the River Kwai makes it even more special because it is so beautiful. If you fancy somewhere relaxing this will be perfect 🥰

Joshua:Wow what value for money the Hop inn offers. Very clean, simple and everything you need. We first discovered this hotel in Kanchanaburi but they have many others all over Thailand. This is a great place to stay if you want comfort but are traveling on a budget. They even offer free coffees and hot chocolate in the mornings 😋

Joshua:We have had dinner here twice and it is delicious. We order the massaman curry and pad Thai and we honestly think it’s the best we’ve had in Thailand. Everything she makes is cooked fresh for you and the staff are very friendly and helpful. She doesn’t serve alcohol here but if you fancy a beer she is very happy for you to nip to a local shop to have with your meal. She also offers cooking classes at a very reasonable price, we haven’t been able to try this yet but we hope you next time and it certainly sounds great!

Joshua:The Bridge Over the River Kwai is one of the most well known bridges in Asia, however it has a very sad history… Many people may of heard about it because of reading the famous fiction book which was made into a Movie in 1957 based loosely on the tragic real events surrounding this railway line. During World War II the Japanese used prisoners of war and labourers to build the Burma-Siam Railway Line, but during the construction an estimated 12,000+ Prisoners of War & over 90,000 labourers died as a result of disease, bad hygiene, lack of medical equipment and ill-treatment. The Bridge that now exists in Kanchanaburi is a restored version, the centre of the original was destroyed in 1945. Although only part of it is original, it is still a good experience and worth visiting.

Joshua:This is a hidden gem in Kanchanaburi because not many tourists know about it but the locals love it and visit regularly. So you get a true thai feeling when visiting here! It is busy but that adds to the experience. It’s also right by the river so you can jump in the cold water to cool down and relax and warm up in the natural hot springs! Perfect! There is an entry fee so make sure you look this up before you go.

Joshua:This is so beautiful with 7 levels to explore. You can also swim in the pools which helps to cool you down as it is a hike to get to the top, so make sure your fit and up for a climb in the heat and have good foot wear. It is worth it although busy as it’s very stunning to see and fun to explore! Again there is an entry fee and opening times, so make sure you look these up before heading out and have plenty of water with you to!