Luang Prabang · Practical guide
Kuang Si Falls: how to visit from Luang Prabang
Turquoise pools, a bear rescue centre at the entrance and a trail to the top that most visitors skip. Here is how to make the most of Luang Prabang's favourite day out.
From town
About 1 hour by road
Best time
Early morning
Bring
Swimsuit and towel
Our tour
From €72
Kuang Si is the day trip everyone takes from Luang Prabang, and for good reason: the water runs milky blue over terraces of limestone, through thick jungle, in pool after pool. By late morning it is also the busiest place in the province. The waterfall is the same for everyone. What changes your day is when you arrive and how far up you walk.
Luang Prabang → Kuang Si Falls
South-west of town · about 1 hour by road · tuk-tuk, minivan or private car
The road is easy and the drive itself is part of the trip: rice fields, villages, and in the rainy season, everything a very bright green. Tuk-tuks wait in town for the round trip; agree on the price and on how long they will wait before you leave.
“It's the big one you can't miss. Go early, before 9 am if you can, avoid the middle of the day, bring your swimsuit, and keep climbing: the upper levels are worth it.”
Practical info
- Getting there: about 1 hour by road from Luang Prabang
- Swimming: allowed in the pools marked for it
- On site: a rescue centre for Asiatic black bears at the entrance
- Bring: swimsuit, towel, sun cream, shoes that stay on your feet
01
How to spend your morning at the falls
Early
Leave Luang Prabang while the road is still quiet.
On arrival
Walk up past the bear rescue centre. Stop for a few minutes: the bears were rescued from poaching and trafficking.
Next
The lower pools, the first place to swim. They fill up first, so keep going.
Then
The main fall. Most visitors stop here for the photo.
Last
The trail to the top of the fall. It is steep and muddy after rain, but the pools up there are quieter and the view is the best of the day.
Do
- Arrive early and plan to leave by early afternoon
- Swim only in the pools marked for swimming
- Cover up again when you leave the water
Avoid
- Flip-flops on the trail to the top
- The middle of the day, when the groups arrive
- Climbing on the limestone edges of the pools: they are fragile
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Kuang Si Falls?
Yes, in the pools marked for swimming. Bring a swimsuit and a towel; there are places to change on site.
How long should I plan for Kuang Si?
Half a day is enough for the falls themselves. With a Hmong village and the buffalo farm on the way back, it makes a full, easy day.
When is the water at its bluest?
In the dry season. After heavy rain, the water can turn cloudy for a while.
How do I get to Kuang Si from Luang Prabang?
By tuk-tuk, minivan or private car: about an hour each way. On our tour, we pick you up at your hotel.
A question about Kuang Si?
Write to us: we answer you ourselves, from Luang Prabang. Please book at least one week in advance.
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