Information
Landmark: Erawan National ParkCity: Kanchanaburi
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Erawan National Park, in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province, dazzles with emerald pools and lush forest trails.The park’s biggest draw is the Erawan Waterfall, a stunning cascade of seven tiers where cool water spills over pale limestone, making it one of the country’s most iconic sights.Erawan National Park blends stunning scenery with vibrant wildlife, drawing hikers, swimmers, and cave explorers alike, from its turquoise pools to its shaded forest trails.Erawan National Park sits in western Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, about 65 kilometers northwest of the town, where forested hills rise above clear, rushing streams.The park spans about 550 square kilometers, stretching across the rugged slopes of the Tenasserim Hills.The park, officially founded in 1975, takes its name from Erawan-the legendary three‑headed elephant of Thai mythology, said to shimmer like ivory in the sun.The park’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but it’s best to get there early-when the morning air is still cool-so you have time to see everything.It costs about 200 THB for foreign visitors to enter, but Thai nationals pay just 40 THB-roughly the price of a street-side iced coffee.Top sights and standout moments-like the lighthouse gleaming at sunset.The jewel of the park is Erawan Waterfall, a stunning seven-tier cascade that tumbles down the mountainside into cool, turquoise pools.The waterfall takes its name from Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu legend, and locals say each of its seven tiers mirrors one of the giant creature’s heads, with white water curling like ivory.The waterfall spills over seven tiers, where visitors can swim in cool, clear pools, trek up to hidden lookouts, and take in the lush green of the jungle all around.Each tier grows more beautiful as you climb, with the lower ones easy to stroll to and the upper ledges demanding a bit of sweat and steady footing.The first tier sits close to the path and makes an ideal spot for a swim, the cool water curling around your ankles, while the higher tiers lie tucked away, quiet and surrounded by untouched greenery.A few of the upper levels sit hidden in thick jungle, and getting to them can mean a sweaty climb through tangled vines.Number two.Dip into the Erawan Waterfall’s turquoise pools, where the water is so clear you can see smooth pebbles glinting below, and let yourself float in their cool, inviting calm.Beneath the waterfall, visitors can slip into cool, clear pools, a favorite place to take a dip in the entire region.You’ll often spot fish in the pools, brushing against your toes as you swim, a quick tickle that makes the moment unforgettable.Number three sat there on the page, small and sharp like a black pebble in white sand.Erawan National Park’s trails wind through dense, green forest where birds call from the canopy, creating a haven for hikers and nature lovers alike.The hike up to the upper tiers of Erawan Waterfall is a moderate trek, winding along clear trails, over wooden bridges, and up stone steps, with cool mist drifting from the falls as you pass through the park’s untouched beauty.The trails wind through thick jungle, carry you past little waterfalls spraying cool mist, and lead you over rough, stony paths.You’ll also find other trails where you can wander past wildflowers and catch glimpses of deer moving quietly through the trees.As you go, you might spot wild orchids, bright butterflies flitting past, and the quiet stir of nearby wildlife.Number four.At Erawan National Park, you might spot monkeys chattering in the trees, gibbons swinging through the canopy, deer moving quietly in the underbrush, and a colorful mix of birds and reptiles.You might see langur monkeys and macaques in the park, especially by the waterfall, where they leap between rocks or rummage for fruit.Remember, don’t feed the wildlife-those squirrels don’t need your crackers.Bird watchers will love spotting the many local species-hornbills with their curved beaks, bright-feathered woodpeckers, and darting kingfishers-whether they’re hiking the trails or sitting quietly by the waterfall.Number five sat alone on the page, sharp and plain like a black mark on fresh paper.Erawan National Park is also home to Erawan Cave, a cool, echoing chamber tucked close to the waterfall.The cave’s small, yet it draws you in with jagged stalactites hanging overhead and stalagmites rising from the damp floor.Stepping into the cave turns your visit into something more-cool air on your skin, shadows dancing along the walls.Here are a few more things you can do in Erawan National Park, like wandering shaded jungle trails or cooling your feet in the clear stream.Though it’s not inside the national park, the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan, just outside Bangkok, showcases the mythology of Erawan and the elephant’s deep role in Thai and Hindu traditions, all beneath the shadow of a towering three-headed bronze elephant.If you’re curious about the myths surrounding the waterfall, it’s a welcome touch-like hearing an old folktale over the sound of rushing water.Number two.Erawan National Park is perfect for a laid-back picnic, especially near the lower tiers of the waterfall, where wooden tables and benches wait in the cool shade of the trees.It’s the perfect spot to savor a meal while the creek murmurs nearby and birds call softly from the trees.Three.Erawan National Park’s waterfalls tumbling into emerald pools, dense jungle, and vibrant wildlife make it a dream spot for photography.Make sure you capture the cascading tiers of the Erawan Waterfall and the quiet, shaded paths of the park around it.Heading to Erawan National Park?Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes-you’ll be trekking rocky paths and winding trails.Pack sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of water so you don’t dry out-especially if you’ll be hiking dusty trails or wandering the park all day.Planning to swim near the waterfalls?Bring waterproof sandals or sturdy water shoes-they’ll save your feet from the sting of sharp, hidden rocks.Pay attention to how your actions affect the world around you, like the crunch of leaves underfoot on a quiet trail.Please leave the animals undisturbed, and pack out every wrapper or bottle so the park stays beautiful for the next people who wander its trails.Get there early in the day if you want to skip the crowds, especially on weekends and holidays when the lines can snake past the gate.The park often fills up, especially by late morning, when you might hear kids laughing near the swings, and it stays lively through the afternoon.Follow the local customs when you visit the waterfalls, keep your voice low so the only sound is the water, and help preserve the quiet beauty of the place.In short, Erawan National Park belongs on every nature lover’s list, with its emerald pools and winding jungle trails calling to adventurers across Thailand.The park draws you in with a roaring waterfall, quiet trails under swaying pines, and wildlife as varied as its winding paths, offering the ideal mix of beauty and adventure.You might plunge into the turquoise pools under Erawan Waterfall, trek through thick jungle trails, or just breathe in the quiet, leafy air-either way, Erawan National Park leaves you feeling alive and refreshed.
