Wang Po

James and I didn't plan on visiting Wang Po, but it was by far one of our top experiences in Kanchanaburi.

Kwai Noi River

At first we had hired a driver to take us to Sai Yok and Mueang Singh, both of which were nice, but neither had that much to do for such a long drive out of town. He surprised us by stopping at Wang Po for no extra charge, because it was on the way, and he thought it would be something we might like to see. He wasn't wrong!

a view along the viaduct

The Wang Po Viaduct is one of the most tragic, yet impressive segments along the Death Railway (the most famous part, of course, being the Bridge on the River Kwai). It took the POW's seventeen days and nights to carve a path along a cliff and build rails along the Kwai Noi River without any kind of proper tools or equipment.

walking along the tracks

This portion of the rail is still open for a few trains, but people are totally free to walk along the viaduct. There is no railing or anything, so you have to be careful walking along the tracks; it's a long way down into the river below.

beautiful river scenery

Wang Po had some of the best river, jungle, mountain, and cloud scenery that we saw in Kanchanaburi. It was beautiful!

the rails

And to think, we didn't even plan on stopping there. We didn't even know where we were when our driver stopped the songtaew and told us to get out and walk around.

you have to be careful!

There is a cave in the cliff wall at a point where the rail is hugging the mountainside, high over the river. Called Kra Sae, the cave was a Japanese military store and POW field hospital during the War, and is now a Buddhist Shrine.

Kra Sae Cavern

The cave was warm and stuffy, filled with incense and the sound of chanting. Many people came her to pray and make offerings.

Buddha in the cave

The history, besides the rugged natural beauty of the western mountains, is part of why I love Kanchanaburi so much, and what makes it my favorite province in Thailand. It's really meaningful, especially if you have studied a bit about WWII in Southeast Asia and the Burmese Death Railway.

inside the cave temple

The cave didn't go back so far, but there were a few other shrines and statues in the small cavern.

holy spot in the cave

Thanks to our awesome driver! Without him, we never would have seen Wang Po, which ended up being a highlight of our New Year's vacation.

our driver