Kuang Si Waterfall, Laos - The Most Amazing Waterfall
A popular side trip in Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfall attracts both locals and tourists because of its three tier cascades with the main one having a 60-metre drop. With its mesmerising waters, cool turquoise pools and idyllic environment, it’s a great spot for sightseeing, photography and even swimming. However, you will have to pay for a minimal admission fee to access the site.
Kuang Si Waterfall
About 30 kilometers South of Luang Prabang are the Kuang Si falls, a beautiful 50 meter high waterfall and a group of turquoise pools set in the tropical rain forest. The falls, locally called Tat Kuang Si are well visited by tourists and locals alike.
Kuang Si Waterfall
The trip from Luang Prabang to the falls is a very scenic ride passing rice paddies, local villages and green hills. At the entrance to the falls are stalls selling food, snacks and drinks as well as a few souvenir shops.
Kuang Si Waterfall
From here, well maintained walkways and bridges lead into the tropical forest. After a short hike you will get to a group of shallow pools, filled with turquoise waters.
Breathtaking cascades of water make the Kuang Si one of Luang Prabang’s most popular tourist attractions. The journey to the waterfall is worth taking time over with vistas across rice fields and the opportunity to meet locals along the way. A Hmong village is a great place to stop where the older female villagers still dress in traditional costume, you can also purchase their hand woven crafts to take home as a souvenir. If you want to take photos at the village you will be expected to buy from them in return.
Kuang Si Waterfall
When you arrive at Kuang Si you’ll discover cages enclosing two Asian black bears following rescue from poachers. The weather at the waterfalls is noticeably cooler making it a really good place to escape the heat; children will especially enjoy a day out here playing in the falls. You can make a day of it at the waterfalls by bringing a picnic with you or buying some food and drinks from one of the local stalls. There are tables and shelters located at the front of the lower level pools.
How to get to the Kuang Si falls
There are several ways to get to the falls. If you have a group you can charter a tuk tuk or a jumbo for about 150,000 Kip (about US$ 20) depending on your bargaining skills. Alternatively, you can share one with other travellers for about 40,000 Kip (about US$ 5) per person or book a ride by mini van from a travel agency at about 50,000 Kip (about US$ 6.50) per person. It takes 45 minutes to an hour from Luang Prabang to get to the falls.