Kuang Si Waterfall
Tourist attraction · Louangphrabang ·
Milky-blue cascading limestone pools, lush jungle, bear sanctuary
Milky-blue cascading limestone pools, lush jungle, bear sanctuary
"A popular park with Laotian day-trippers, Kuang Si Falls sits amid a tiny surviving parcel of primordial forest and is an easy nature stop on the road back to town (conveniently passing the Laos Buffalo Dairy ice-cream stand)." - Kevin West Kevin West Kevin West is a writer, food consultant, and “canning evangelist” (according to NPR). He’s the author of the cookbook “Saving the Season,” and his work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Martha Stewart Living, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"From the local Khmu and Hmong village of Long Lao I trekked three hours through virgin forest and dirt roads to reach Kuang Si, a challenging but rewarding journey that culminated in a refreshing swim at the falls." - Chris Dong Chris Dong Chris Dong is a travel reporter, editor, and strategist. He covers everything from the latest luxury hotels to the nuances of credit card rewards programs. Previously, Chris was a reporter and newsletter editor at The Points Guy. His work also appears in Lonely Planet, AFAR, The Washington Post, and Business Insider, among others. Chris lives in Los Angeles after spending nearly a decade in New York City. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The Kuang Si Falls blew me away — a series of gently cascading limestone pools set in lush jungle that were among the most breathtaking scenes I saw in Laos; it’s very popular (avoid weekends if you can) and well worth a day trip." - Matthew Kepnes
"When I went to Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang, I found it was about 50% cheaper to organize the trip myself instead of taking a tour; a shared ride to Kuang Si Waterfalls cost around 140,000 LAK, and entrance fees to attractions in the area generally ran about 20,000–60,000 LAK." - Matthew Kepnes
"UPDATE 2024: This pool no longer accessible and you shouldn’t go there. I took a shared tuk‑tuk out of Luang Prabang to visit the famous Kuang Si waterfalls — a must‑see that lives up to the hype — paying a 20,000 LAK ($2.50) entrance fee after about a 45–60 minute ride (shared tuk‑tuks run around 50,000 LAK; private vans about 250,000 LAK). The falls cut through limestone jungle into a series of three aquamarine, terraced pools framed by white limestone rocks and tropical trees; the place feels fairy‑tale‑like, complete with a local legend about a wise man who dug the water and a golden deer (kuang = deer, si = dig). The lower pools are crowded with swimmers and selfie hunters, but hiking up a muddy, worn trail (which can require some mountaineering) leads to dramatically fewer people, fenced viewpoints, and spectacular valley views. We found a “secret” mid‑level pool via a hidden path — a near‑private aquamarine basin lit by the setting sun where we swam, cooled off in refreshingly cold water, and watched the tourists below; be aware this feature may no longer be accessible. After descending I finished the day eating from roadside stalls — BBQ chicken, sticky rice, and som tam — a perfect end to a perfect day. The best time to visit is December–May when the pools have settled." - Matthew Kepnes