Ratchaburi, Thailand

Ratchaburi's most famous sights include the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Rose Garden. An early start is required as the floating market is all but finished by mid-morning. The Rose Garden then offers a good introduction to Thai culture with traditional dancing, martail arts, and other attractions.
Ratchaburi also boasts Thailand's first barehanded rock-climbing facility. The Khao Ngu Rock Park is a former blasting site which offers a thrill for bare-handed rock climbers.
Air-con buses from the Southern Bus Terminal to Ratchaburi leave every 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m onwards.
Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.
The east part of the province contains the flat river plains of the Mae Klong river, crisscrossed by many khlongs. The most famous tourist spot in this area are the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak. The west of the province is more mountainous, and includes the Tanawsri mountain range. As the mountains are made mostly of limestone, there are several caves containing stalactites. Some caves are inhabited by large colonies of bats, and it is an impressive sight when they swarm out in the evening to feed. Other caves like the Khao Bin are accessible for visitors. The main river of the west part is the Phachi River.
At the left bank of the Phachi river the Chaloem Phra Kiat Thai Prachan National Park is in process of being established since 2003: It is scheduled to protect 384.39 km² of forests which had been battle ground with the Communist party of Thailand in the past.
The history of the city of Ratchaburi dates back to the Dvaravati period, when it was an important city of the Mon kingdom. Of the contemporary city Khu Bua nearby only ruins remains. According to legend it even dates back to the mythical Suvannabhumi kingdom predating Dvaravati.