Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway
A profound WWII memorial where Allied POWs carved a railway through solid rock under brutal conditions.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–16:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
- Phone
- +66 34 919 605
- Website
- www.hellfirepass.in.th
Full opening hours
Tours that include Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway.
Why go, and how to do it well
One of Southeast Asia's most significant World War II memorials, Hellfire Pass preserves the Konyu Cutting — a passage carved through solid rock by Allied prisoners of war and local laborers during the construction of the Thai-Burma Death Railway under Japanese occupation. The site takes its haunting name from the torchlit night shifts, where the flickering light and exhausted workers created an infernal scene. Today it stands as a sobering tribute to the thousands who suffered and died during the railway's construction.
Visitors can walk the original railway route and descend into the cutting itself, giving a visceral sense of the scale and hardship of the work. Two marked walking routes are available — a shorter Blue Route and a longer Green Route — both passing through forested hills that lend the site a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. An on-site memorial museum provides detailed historical context about the railway, the prisoner experience, and the nationalities involved, including Australian, British, and Dutch prisoners of war. The museum and walking trails are professionally presented and maintained.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Aug 2026
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Tours that include Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway, round out your day in Kanchanaburi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi is a perfect getaway for those who want a short hiking experience. They offer two walking options: the short walk (Blue Route 1) and the long walk (Green Route 2). If you love history, you should not miss this place. It is one of the major historical highlights of Kanchanaburi, built by mostly European, American, Dutch, and Australian soldiers who were captured during the Japanese occupation in World War II. These prisoners of war were forced to work and construct the railway connecting Thailand and Burma. Hellfire Pass is free for all nationalities. It is not operated for profit, but rather to honor and remember the people who suffered and worked there. At the reception area, they will provide an audio guide with a translator that you can use to listen to the history during your walk. If you choose the long walk, they will also provide a walkie-talkie and will check on you regularly for your safety. At the end of the walk, you need to return the walkie-talkie and audio guide, but they will let you keep the headset as a souvenir. You are also welcome to give a donation in any amount if you wish.
It was a great privilege for our family to visit the Hellfire Pass memorial museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, and learn about the sufferings and pains suffered by Australian, English and Dutch prisoners of war during the construction of the Death Railway. Allow yourself sufficient time to enjoy your visit - it is well worth the effort! You should not miss the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which is officially known as the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum if you visit to Kanchanaburi.
This place is free and super pet friendly but not to the short legged type tho, there are stairs 🤣
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,012 reviews on Google.
Unnamed Road,, 9X43+526 ตำบล ท่าเสา อำเภอไทรโยค กาญจนบุรี 71150, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 5 min walk of Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway.
Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre
Free, quietly devastating, and the walk down into the cutting is the part that stays with you.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway worth visiting?
Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway holds a 4.7★ rating from 1,012 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Kanchanaburi.
What are the opening hours of Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway?
Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway is typically open 09:00-16:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), Thai-Burma Death Railway?
The best months to visit Kanchanaburi are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in November – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (extreme heat).
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