This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Kanchanaburi, the province capital, is famous for its World War II history in general and the bridge over the River Kwai in particular, and it also attracts tourists and travelers pining for the surrounding wonders of nature. Most budget accommodation, including hostels in Kanchanaburi, is lined up in an area from the bridge in the north, south along the river for about two kilometers. The backpacker places can be reached in fifteen minutes by foot from the train station, by walking southwest toward the river. Some places are right on the river shore or even floating on the river, and some are further back. Prices tend to be higher closer to the old railway bridge in the north-west. Mae Nam Kwai Road is full of hostels, bars, restaurants, tour agencies, and the odd convenience store -- everything an independent traveler might need except the sights themselves.
From here you can go on day trips or longer adventures into the national parks or up along the old death railway toward the Myanmar (Burmese) border. Kanchanaburi is also an entry point for the biggest wilderness area in Thailand -- the Western Forest Complex. Popular day-trip destinations include Erawan Waterfall and Hellfire Pass. The bridge and the war museums and cemeteries are the main sights within the city itself. Watch the 1957 movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" for inspiration!
