Kanchanaburi, Thailand

At around 19,500 square kilometres Kanchanaburi is Thailand's third largest province. Bordering Myanmar, the province is famed for its mountains and hills. Only 130 kilometres from Bangkok it takes two hours to get to Kanchanaburi by bus making it a popular destination for day trippers from the capital. 150 kilometres west of Bangkok, the region is especially famed for the Bridge Over the River Kwae, scene of numerous war atrocities during the Japanese administration of Thailand. The building of the bridge led to the deaths of 80,000 Asian labourers and 13,000 Allied Prisoners of War. Kanchanaburi's landscapes are at once rugged and picturesque. Kanchanaburi's national parks are ideal for adventures into the province's natural beauty. The area has hydro-electric power and a series of dammed reservoirs which provide opportunities for activities such as boating and fishing. Kanchanaburi is home to the Erawan Waterfall – a 7-tier fall of astounding beauty, as well as Sai Yok Waterfalls - the focal point of the 500-square-kilometre Sai Yok National Park comprising evergreen, bamboo and teak forest against a mountainous backdrop. The area is famed for activities like trekking, cave exploration, elephant riding and canoeing.