Kuang Si waterfall near Luang Prabang in Northern Laos is set in lush forest 30 km south of Luang Prabang, Laos.
Confusingly the name can also be spelt Kouang Si waterfall (seen written on signs locally) Kuang Xi or Tat Kuang Si.
The temperature in Luang Prabang during our visit in early April was 42 degrees celsius, so an opportunity to get wet and cool was high on the agenda.
Arrive early to avoid crowds and make sure you have enough time to do the walk to the top of the falls. Four hours is a reasonable amount of time at Kuang Si waterfall. If it’s photos you are after take photos first before a lot of people arrive. Work your way to the top falls taking photos as you go, then relax and swim. You can grab something to eat from the stalls outside when you leave.
These photos were taken in late dry season.
The walk to the top of the falls does become impassable in the wet season.
What is Kuang Si Waterfall Luang Prabang like?
Kuang Si is really a waterfall park.
Deliciously cool milky blue/turquoise water flows over multi-tiered limestone formations into a series of tempting pools.
The pools are framed by lush green trees, ferns and clambering vines and there is even a rope to swing on Tarzan style.
Some pools are not accessible for swimming.
Who visits Kuang Si Waterfalls
Travellers weren’t the only ones looking forward to a swim. The local population, including the Luang Prabang monks and visiting monks, love it here too.
Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
An added bonus of visiting Kuang Si, is the opportunity to see rescued moon bears on the Free the Bears Bear Discovery Trail.
Free the bears a charity set up by Australian Mary Hutton in 1993 saves Sun Bears and Moon Bears.
The bears here at Kuang Si are Moon Bears.
Although 20,000 kip is charged to enter the park, none of this money goes toward the free the bears charity.
Due to the generosity of patrons in the past the enclosures for rescued bears have increased dramatically.
You can donate on the above link and/or buy from a range of gifts with the money going directly to helping the bears.
Tuk tuks waiting for the return of their passengers.
Look for distinguishing characteristics so you can find your tuk tuk and driver on your return.
Drivers do not enter the waterfall area.
There were plenty of food and drink stalls outside the gates.
This water wheel, which is supposedly used to remove the husks from rice, added charm to the already picture perfect setting.
How to get to Kuang Si Waterfall
Hire a Tuk Tuk on the street anywhere in Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si waterfall is a refreshing destination on a hot day in Luang Prabang. Consider hiring a Songtaew or Tuk Tuk for the whole day so you can stay as long as you like. Expect to pay 250,000 kip of $40 AUD for the whole day.
Alternatively you can book a shared mini bus here.
How long does it take to get to Kuang Si Waterfall
Kuang Si is about 45 minutes/1 hour from Luang Prabang. It’s a relatively relaxing country drive beside rice paddies and small dusty towns and villages. Remember it was dry season during our village, but all the time in the background were greener mountains.
Add Kuang Si waterfall to your Laos Itinerary and you will not be sorry for one minute. It is one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang.
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What a stunning spot and as you mention a cool respite from the heat of the city. I’d go just to see the bears and support the charity. Since seeing bears mistreated in India, I’d support any one trying to save them.
Agreed Jenny, As most things in Laos are laid back, so are the Moon Bears. They love sitting in their swinging chairs. I believe they are like that in the wild as well.
Gosh Jan those photos are amazing – I love the water falls and the bears are so incredible…are they enclosed away from everyone, or do they walk amongst the people?
I so would love to feel the water, see the monks, give money to help the bears, and buy at the stalls just outside! What an amazing experience 😉
Thanks for sharing – when we lived in Mackay (many years ago) we used to have a wet season. It would rain for 6 weeks straight but it was warm rain so we were able to play outside with our boys! is it a warm wet season over there?
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa, I am loving looking back at our time in Luang Prabang. My brother had spent a lot of time working in L.P. and had told me how special it was. I spent a lot of years dreaming before I actually got there. The bears are in one big enclosure with plenty of room. They are lazy bears and enjoy just lounging in their chairs and sitting in the water. L.P. has a huge monk population and they are out and about in the community all the time. The water has a soft feel to it. It gets that colour from the limestone. It didn’t rain while we were there, but it has warm rain like N.Q.
That is one experience you will always remember 🙂