Kuang Si Waterfalls
Thirty kilometres south of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si is a three-tiered cascade that tumbles into a series of impossibly turquoise travertine pools fringed by bamboo and tropical forest. It is, quite simply, one of the most photogenic waterfalls in all of Asia.
The Pools and the Main Falls
The lower pools are shallow and warm enough to swim in year-round, their milky-blue colour caused by dissolved limestone minerals. A well-marked trail winds past each pool before climbing to the main 60-metre curtain of white water that thunders into a wide basin below.
Early morning arrivals — before 9 am — get the pools almost entirely to themselves. The light filters through the forest canopy in long golden shafts, turning the water an electric aquamarine that looks almost unreal.
Beyond the Falls
A forested trail to the left of the main cascade leads up to the source pools at the top, where the water is calmer and the views over the valley are spectacular. Very few day-trippers make the 20-minute climb, so it rewards the effort with solitude.
At the park entrance, the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre houses sun bears confiscated from poachers. Spend 15 minutes here before or after the falls — it is run by Free the Bears and admission is included in the park ticket.
More of Laos
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Laos →
