Kuang Si Falls: A Gorgeous Luang Prabang Day Trip

April 18, 2020February 6, 2024 Koen 0 Comments

In this destination guide, we will make an easy day trip from Luang Prabang (Laos) to the gorgeous Kuang Si Falls, a park full of beautiful waterfalls and natural swimming pools.

Luang Prabang

Already in its own right, Luang Prabang is the top travel destination in Laos, by a country mile.

However, there are also some excellent day trips which you make from Luang Prabang, which I summed up in my article about this fabulous city.

As I had three days in Luang Prabang I had only time to make one single day trip at most, unfortunately.

I decided to opt for a visit to the Kuang Si Falls (also spelled as Kuang Xi), a series of gorgeous waterfalls and natural pools in the jungle about a 40 minutes drive out of the city.

phousi hill nam khan luang prabang — *Luang Prabang, Laos. ©Paliparan*

Arranging a Kuang Si Falls trip

It is very straightforward to arrange a (half) day trip to the Kuang Si Falls.

There is absolutely no need to make arrangements in advance, as you pay premium prices if you decide to book over the internet!

I even saw some online tour agency advertise 100 EUR+ private day trips to the falls – which is outrageously expensive considering how low local price levels are.

Even if you decide to take a private tour or just a private car transfer, you are much better off arranging it on the ground in Luang Prabang, either through your hotel or a local travel agency or simply by haggling with local taxi drivers.

If you do not mind shared transport in a minivan, local tour agencies, hotels and guest houses can arrange you a round trip transfer to the Kuang Si Falls for around 5 EUR – which includes the entrance fee to the waterfalls!

This is what most backpackers tend to do and which was what I decided to settle on.

The only downside to this is that you are automatically fixed to a predetermined schedule, leaving you with just around three hours at the actual falls.

This is definitely enough for a good look around the area, some time for photography, and a refreshing dip in one of the pools, if all you want is a quick half day trip out of town.

However, there are some good reasons why spending a full day at the Kuang Si Falls might be a better option, but more on that later.

Let’s first have a peek at what there actually is to see at the Kuang Si Falls!

kuang si falls river jungle — *Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

Arrival at the falls

From the sandy parking lot of the Kuang Si Falls, it is a short walk to the main entrance of the park.

As the entrance fee was included in my half day tour, all passengers from our minivan simply followed the driver to the entrance booth.

After we got our tickets, the driver informed us that we could do as we please, but had to make sure to be back at the parking lot in three hours time – otherwise we would miss our ride with him back to Luang Prabang.

From the ticket booth, a pathway leads through the dense jungle towards the falls.

At the entrance of the path, there is a handy sign which shows some of the hiking paths in the area.

entrance sign — *A sign at the entrance to the Kuang Si Falls showing a basic map of the area. ©Paliparan*

kuang si falls entrance sign — *Entrance sign to the Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

jungle path — *A path through the jungle leads to the first series of pools and falls. ©Paliparan*

First pool

After some ten minutes walking on a comfortable path, I arrived at the first of a long series of natural pools for which Kuang Si is famous.

These hillside pools are all connected by a shallow river, creating a stunning series of waterfalls along the way.

Only two of the pools at the lower half of Kuang Si are designated for swimming – it is strictly forbidden to swim in the river or the other pools you come across, unless otherwise specified.

I was absolutely stunned when I walked upon the first deep blue pool.

The bright colours, the jungle canopy, the flowers: It felt like entering the Garden of Eden.

kuang si falls waterfall pool jungle — *The first of a series of natural pools. In this one, swimming is not allowed. ©Paliparan*

natural jungle pool — *Gorgeous natural pool at the Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

Waterfalls

From the first pool, the path follows the riverbed slightly up on the hill and along the way you pass a series of waterfalls.

Although people often mean the biggest single waterfall located a bit further uphill when they refer to the Kuang Si Falls, there are literally hundreds of waterfalls in the area.

Some are big, some small, while most of these waterfalls are medium-sized, about five feet high.

If you are into photography, progress will be slow, as the area is so stunningly beautiful.

I literally stopped at every meter or two to take another photograph!

The colours of the water and jungle can look different from one vantage point to another.

Especially when some sunshine breaks through the rainforest canopy, it creates some lovely light effects.

waterfalls — *Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

*One of the many smaller waterfalls. ©Paliparan*

Natural swimming pool

After an easy 10 minute walk, you arrive at the first natural pool in which you are allowed to swim.

It is also one of the biggest pools you will come across at the Kuang Si Falls, and it makes for an excellent location for a refreshing dip.

There are some benches to sit down in this area to relax.

A lot of travellers opted to stay at this pool for a while to relax, which is certainly a good idea if you have all the time.

I didn’t see any dressing rooms, so it is best if you are already dressed in swimming shorts (or for the girls to wear your bikini under your normal clothes).

However, if you have limited time only, you should definitely not forget that the main Kuang Si waterfall is located a further 10 to 15 minutes upstream, and that there is plenty more amazing scenery to come.

*The first of the natural pools in which swimming is allowed. ©Paliparan*

kuang si waterfalls falls luang prabang — *In a few natural pools at the Kuang Si Falls you are allowed to swim. ©Paliparan*

natural pool jungle — *Natural pool in the middle of the jungle. ©Paliparan*

Continuing through the jungle

Just a stone throw upstream from the first natural swimming pool, there is yet another natural pool in which you are allowed to swim.

Even though the first pool was already calm enough, having only ten or so people swimming in it at most, the second pool was even more quiet as just a single person was swimming in it.

As most tourists obviously stop at the first of the pools to take a dip, you might want to continue for a bit more to the second pool if you seek a bit more quietness, although the first pool is arguably the most picturesque of the two.

From the second swimming pool it is a further 10 minute walk on a good-quality path towards the main Kuang Si waterfall.

Along the path, there are some viewpoints where you can see how the river makes its way through the dense jungle.

kuang si falls — *Walking further upstream towards the main waterfall. ©Paliparan*

waterfall jungle — *Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

kuang si falls waterfall — *Small waterfall. ©Paliparan*

kuang si — *Some more beautiful waterfalls. ©Paliparan*

flowers jungle tropical — *At some points along the river, you can admire some beautiful tropical flowers. ©Paliparan*

kuang si selfie koen — *Obligatory riverside selfie. ©Paliparan*

The main waterfall

After a while, you reach a bridge over the river, from where you have an excellent view over another natural pool and the main Kuang Si waterfall, a large three-tired waterfall.

Even though I already thought the waterfall was quite impressive, it must be an even more fantastic sight to see in the rainy season when the river swells to its highest point.

Unfortunately, that can also mean that the colour of the water turns from its typical shades of blue and green into a dirty brown colour, as sand from the jungle floor is carried along by the river rapids.

If the natural pools and unique colours of the water are important to you, it’s therefore best to visit Laos during the dry season, which runs from October to April.

For what it’s worth, all these pictures on this page I took during a trip to Laos in early February.

bridge river — *The main waterfall is best viewed from a small bridge over the river. ©Paliparan*

Hiking

The main waterfall is also the end of the main pathway, and this entire walk is straightforward and accessible even for the elderly.

However, if you take any of the trails further up the hill, it gets a bit more strenuous.

Although there is still a clear path up, it does get more uneven and you should expect quite some steps up, making it a sweaty walk in the humid Laotian weather.

Even though not many people venture beyond the main waterfall, it is absolutely worthwhile to climb a bit further up the hill, as there are some amazing views over the jungle canopy and surrounding mountains, giving you a much better picture of the terrain you are actual in.

At the top of the waterfall, there is another series of natural pools in which swimming is allowed, although these are slightly different from the ones downstream.

Due to the thick canopy, not much sunlight shines through the jungle at this point, making the water in the pools look a bit more dark.

Compared to the pools downhill, these pools are more shallow too.

kuang si jungle — *Hiking further uphill into the jungle. ©Paliparan*

steps jungle — *At one point, the river water even streams over the steps. ©Paliparan*

kuang si jungle view — *View over the jungle. ©Paliparan*

jungle view kuang si — *View over the jungle. ©Paliparan*

hill river — *The river all the way upstream on top of the hill. ©Paliparan*

Bear Rescue Centre

Although I wished I had time to hike even further, or to stay at the uppermost natural pools for a refreshing swim and to relax for a while longer, I had to go all the way back down in order not to miss my transport to Luang Prabang.

Don’t forget to have a look at the Bear Rescue Centre, which you automatically pass by on the way between the Kuang Si Falls and the main parking lot.

This bear sanctuary is a charity founded by an Australian grandmother to save the moon bears (Asiatic Black bears).

Across south-eastern Asia, these bears are often captured and held in dire conditions for the alleged health benefits of their bile, which is forcefully milked from them using dirty catheters inserted directly into their gall bladder, and then used in traditional medicine.

Besides rescuing and rehabilitating such bears, the centre also works in education projects with the local populace to make them aware of the importance of nature conservation.

kuang si bear rescue centre — *The Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre. ©Paliparan*

asiatic black moon bear — *Two of the Asiatic black bears being rehabilitated in the rescue centre. ©Paliparan*

asiatic black bear — *An Asiatic black bear. ©Paliparan*

Parking lot

I managed to get back to the parking lot in time, where most of the other passengers were already waiting.

It being Laos where everything runs on ‘Laos time’, our driver arrived some 15 to 20 minutes late to drive us back to Luang Prabang.

Around the parking lot, there are a couple of food stalls and restaurants, so if you need a meal after your visit to Kuang Si Falls, or want to buy some drinks before you embark on a hike, this is the place to stop.

You will also find some toilets here.

kuang si food parking lot — *There are some food and souvenir stalls near the parking lot of the Kuang Si Falls. ©Paliparan*

skewers meat — *While waiting for the ride back, I enjoyed some grilled pork and chicken skewers. ©Paliparan*

Conclusion

Located in the middle of the Laotian jungle, the natural pools and waterfalls at the Kuang Si Falls are an amazing sight.

The whole scenery is so beautiful and serene that it really feels like a magical place, a sort of Garden of Eden.

Although I was happy with the organised half day trip and I got exactly what I paid for (return transport by minibus, entrance fee to the falls), I however would organise it a bit differently on a future visit.

Even though many people seem to be happy with three hours at the falls, I thought the time was too short.

Sure, if you just want to go to the natural pool to swim and relax a bit, three hours are sufficient.

For a walk to the main waterfall, some photography, and a quick dip in one of the pools, it is also enough.

I was however stretching it by hiking further up from the main waterfall, and it left me with zero time to actually sit down, swim and relax at the falls.

The Kuang Si Falls are so beautiful that it really makes for a good place to just slow down for a while and to absorb the surroundings.

Although I managed to see everything, I thought it was a shame that I did not have time to do exactly that.

If I would do the trip again, I would probably try to arrange return transport myself in Luang Prabang, leaving much more time at the Kuang Si Falls.

Trip report index

This article is part of the ‘Lazing in Laos and Gallivanting a Wee Bit Around Asia‘ trip report, which consists of the following chapters:

1. Review: Aegean Airlines Business Class Bucharest to Athens (Airbus A320)
2. Review: Goldair Handling Lounge (Non-Schengen) Athens Airport
3. Review: Saudia Business Class Athens to Jeddah (Airbus A320)
4. Review: Saudia Alfursan Lounge Jeddah Airport South Terminal
5. Review: Review: Saudia Business Class Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur (Boeing 787)
6. Review: CitizenM Hotel Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang
7. Kuala Lumpur in One Day: What to See and Do in 24 Hours
8. A Batu Caves Half Day Trip From Kuala Lumpur By Public Transport
9. Review: Plaza Premium Lounge Private Resting Suite Gateway KLIA2
10. Review: Air Asia Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane (Airbus A320)
11. Review: Hotel Khamvongsa, Vientiane, Laos
12. Destination Trip Report: A Day in Vientiane, Laos
13. Guide: Domestic Bus Travel in Laos and How to Book a Ticket
14. Review: Simon Riverside Hotel, Vang Vieng, Laos
15. Trip Report: Vang Vieng – Worth a Stop on Your Laos Itinerary?
16. Review: Villa Ban Phanluang, Luang Prabang, Laos
17. Luang Prabang: The Stunning Pearl of Indochina
18. Guide: Luang Prabang Morning, Food and Night Markets
19. Kuang Si Falls: A Gorgeous Luang Prabang Day Trip (current chapter)
20. Review: Thai Smile Economy Class Luang Prabang to Bangkok (Airbus A320)
21. Review: Ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 4
22. Review: Air France/KLM Business Lounge Bangkok Airport
23. Review: Garuda Indonesia Business Class Bangkok to Jakarta (Boeing 737-800)
24. Review: Sapphire Plaza Premium Lounge Terminal 3 Jakarta Airport
25. Review: Garuda Business Lounge Terminal 3 Jakarta Airport
26. Review: Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Jakarta to Tokyo Narita (Boeing 787-8)
27. Review: Capsule Hotel Transit Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
28. Tokyo Stopover: What to See and Do in the Capital of Japan for a Day
29. Review: ANA Business Lounge Tokyo Narita Airport
30. Review: United Club Tokyo Narita Airport
31. Review: Turkish Airlines Economy Class Tokyo Narita to Istanbul (Boeing 777)
32. Review: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Lounge Istanbul Airport
33. Review: Turkish Airlines Economy Class Istanbul to Bucharest (Airbus A330)