In The Bridge on the River Kwai, director David Lean took plenty of artistic license when bringing Pierre Boulle’s 1952 novel to life, but the film still won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Original Score and Best Cinematography, among others. While the novel and subsequent screenplay are fictional, they rely on the construction of the Burma Railway between 1942-1943 as their inspiration. William Holden, Alex Guinness, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa star in the 1957 epic, which follows British prisoners of war at a Japanese prison camp in Thailand where conditions are dire and the men are forced to work on a railway bridge to connect Bangkok and Rangoon.
While the stunning island is home to a landmark that reminds us of the tragic history of war, filming took place in another country entirely – Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon at the time of production. Lean spared no expense in having his crew construct a structure that looks much different from the authentic bridge, but that’s not the only noteworthy The Bridge on the River Kwai filming location tourists might recognize when venturing through Southern Asia. Read on to uncover the movie magic that awaits you in Sri Lanka and Thailand, complete with travel tips to ensure smooth sailing during your visit.
Is the Bridge on the River Kwai Still Standing?
- Key Scenes: Shears and Joyce place stolen explosives on the bridge’s towers amid The Warden’s plans to destroy it.
- Best Time to Visit: Kitulgalal is one of Sri Lanka’s most wet areas, but the driest time typically falls between January to March making it the best time to visit The Bridge on the River Kwai filming location.
- Transportation Options: Go southwest from Kandy towards Kitulaga for about 60 kilometers to reach Block 36. This area is most easily accissible with a car/taxi or by traveling with a local tour service specializing in film-site visits.
Lean and his crew built their wooden structure near Kitulgala nearly 70 years ago, and it was no easy feat. As Love Sri Lanka reminds us, the Great Expectations director nearly drowned when the river swept him away during a break from filming. In March 1957, the then-Prime Minister of Ceylon and his government dignitaries were on set to watch the famous explosion scene unfold, but unfortunately an issue with one of the cameramen left Lean unable to film. The train from the scene ultimately crashed into a generator on the other side of the bridge and was wrecked, only to be repaired and properly blown up a few days later.
The structure used for The Bridge on the River Kwai, which spanned 425 feet long and stood 90 feet above water, is no longer erected. However, the concrete foundations used for production are still visible on the riverbank. It cost a reported quarter of a million dollars to build, and since word of putting up a dam in the area has stirred up controversy, there’s been talk of using the original drawings and photos to rebuild Lane’s bridge to keep tourism in the area alive and well.
Things to Do: The scenic area of Kitulaga offers countless outdoor activities for explorers, including venturing through the Belilena Cave and connecting with wildlife at the Makandawa Forest Reserve.
Where to Eat: Restaurants with favorable reviews nearby are Country Kitchen, which offers Indian and Asian cusine or the Blackline Cafe, where you can enjoy Italian and French food.
Where to Stay: Paradise Eco Garden is eight kilometers from Kitulaga and offers free breakfast, or the Old Bridge Riverside Hotel boasts amazing prices and reviews.
Tourists in Thailand Can Still See the Historic Monument
- Key Scenes: Doesn’t appear in Lean’s film, but is seen in Michael Crimino’s Oscar-winning release, The Deer Hunter.
- Best Time to Visit: The lowest rainfall in western Thailand is from December to March, which is when the days are also the longest.
- Transportation Options: Thailand’s “River Kwai” bridge is accessible via a rail service from Bangkok Noi railway station; it’s located a little over 100km NW of the capital city.
In Thailand, the Khwar Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge to become the Mae Klong; this is where the bridge referenced by Boulle’s novel went up. Made of concrete and girder, it looks much different than the version put together for The Bridge on the River Kwai, but still, it marks an important (albiet tragic) point in world history. Bridge 277’s purpose was to help connect Myanmar and Thailand (formerly Siam) as part of a much larger railway system. Though Japanese engineers suggested this undertaking would require five years time, army authorities felt this was unacceptable.
Instead, they put prisoners of war (POW) and local forced laborers to work on the project in hopes of starting in October 1942 and finishing in one year. As CWGC notes, construction on the Burma-Siam Railway didn’t go as planned; workers died at rates of 20 men per day and those who survived slept in bamboo hunts on dirty floors. In total, over 670 bridges were constructed, but from 1943 onward the area was bombed heavily. 16,000 Allied POWs and 90,000 forced laborers are believed to have lost their lives while working in Thailand.
Things to Do: Various tours of the “Death Railway” are available from as low as $80 USD/person, but there’s much more to do in Kanchanaburi during your visit, from ElephantsWorld to paying respects at the tranquil War Cemetery.
Where to Eat: On’s Thai Issan, Bell’s Pizzeria, Zeb Zeb and Keeree Mantra all offer unique menus with must-try items from various styles of cuisine.
Where to Stay: Good Times Resort is a smaller hotel that guests seem to love in Kanchanaburi, but anyone looking for something more glam should check out Tara Villa.
Sri Lanka’s Beautiful Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
- Key Scenes: Major Warden recruits Commnder Shears and other volunteers for his bold operation to destroy the bridge built by Britain’s POWs.
- Best Time to Visit: Trip Advisor users recommend visiting from April to July if you want to see the greenery at its most vibrant.
- Transportation Options: Drive or catch a taxi just six kilometers west of Kandy, or take one of the regularly scheduled buses to the gardens. Alternatively, you can come from the Kandy Railway Station and ride a tuk-tuk to the entrance.
Located near Kandy, Sri Lanka, the Royal Botanic Gardens are home to over 4,000 plant species of plants. It was established in the 19th century and now spans over 147 acres with a Fernery and Orchid House that once entertained local royals but now attracts visitors from around the globe.
Things to Do: Other attractions worth checking out in the area are the Hindagala Temple where you can view ancient Buddhist art and the hands-on Kandy Spice Walk. The latter comes with a complimentary Herbal Tea as you learn to cook an authentic Sri Lankan meal using Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices.
Where to Eat: Pizza Amore is an affordable local favorite for lunch or dinner, or you can grab coffee, a sandwich or a sweet treat to match the amazing views at Barista.
Where to Stay: Highly rated hotels in the city of Kandy for your consideration are The Radh, The Summit and the reasonably priced Ceyloni City Hotel – all of which include breakfast for guests.
Former Military Hospital Is Now the Mount Lavinia Hotel
- Key Scenes: Officers Shears and Clipton visit the hospital in hopes of getting out of their railway building duties.
- Best Time to Visit: In August, the nearby capital city of Kandy becomes home to some of Asia’s most legendary festivals, making it the most lively time of year to book your trip.
- Transportation Options: 100 Hotel Road is an estimated 30-minute cab ride from the city of Colombo. Those who are comfortable taking public transit can catch a train at Mount Lavinia station before walking or riding the rest of the way by tuk-tuk, or hop on a public bus to Dehiwala-Mount Lavina.
You can’t step into the exact same environment where Shears and Clipton provided The Bridge on the River Kwai viewers with comedic relief, but you can share laughter with your loved ones while relaxing at the beautiful Mount Lavinia Hotel. Located in Dehiwala-Mount Lavina, the glamorous colonial heritage hotel offers 275 rooms with unforgettable views of the bay and Colombo’s skyline. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city, providing patrons with a private beach to enjoy all that Sri Lanka has to offer.
Things to Do: Soak up the sun on the private beach where you can also kayak and snorkle, get in a workout at the fitness center, or check out one of the hotel’s various excursions, including tours of Galle, Hill Country and Kandy.
Where to Eat: Severeal restaurants are at the hotel; Governor’s offers daily themed dinner buffets while The Terrace overlooks the ocean and makes for great sunset drinks and dining. Elsewhere you’ll find Seafood Cove, the Lobby Lounge and Bar and perhaps the most romantic options of all, Baywatch Tower.
Where to Stay: Book your stay at the Mount Lavinia Hotel here.
