Explore the Milky-Blue Pools and Tumbling Cascades of Kuang Si Falls

Tumbling through the rainforest of northern Laos, the famous Kuang Si Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire region. Made up of multiple tiers, the waterfall rushes down through the jungle canopy, forming a series of natural pools in its wake.

Kuang Si Falls is particularly well-known for the astonishing blue colour and milky appearance of these pools. The water passes over limestone rock, which is rich in light-reflecting calcium, causing the water to appear especially vibrant and cloudy in texture.

It really is a gorgeous sight and so it comes as no surprise that visiting Kuang Si Falls is one of the most popular things to do when in nearby Luang Prabang. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to get to Kuang Si Falls

You’ll be pleased to know that getting to Kuang Si Falls from Luang Prabang is cheap and easy. The falls are located just 29km outside of town and it takes roughly 45 minutes to get there by minivan or tuk-tuk.

By shared tuk-tuk: Tuk-tuks can fit 6-7 people and are by far the most popular way to get to the falls. There are tuk-tuks all over town, so you’ll have no trouble finding one, although you may need to haggle a little to get a decent price. The fare should start from about 200,000kip (25 USD), which you can split between all passengers.

By private tuk-tuk: This is a good option if you want a little more control over timings. A private tuk-tuk should cost about 200,000kip (25 USD) for the day, and the driver will wait for you at Kuang Si Falls to take you back into Luang Prabang.

By public minivan: Public minivans run shuttle services between Luang Prabang and Kuang Si Falls every day for around 60,000kip (4 USD) per person. This is probably the cheapest way to get to the falls. However, the departure and return times are set, so you may not get as much time there as you’d like.

By motorbike: If you’re keen to do things independently, hiring a motorbike could be a good option for you. Motorbikes can be rented in Luang Prabang for about 20 USD per day.

By joining a tour: There are plenty of tour operators in Luang Prabang who offer day trips to Kuang Si Falls. Most of these seem to combine the falls with a visit to the nearby Pak Ou Cave, and perhaps a local village as well. There are tons of amazing day trip options on Viator.

Kuang Si Falls entrance fee and costs

After spending about 6 weeks in Southeast Asia, I’d become accustomed to unexpected fees and anticipated that entrance to the falls would be quite expensive.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that entry to Kuang Si Falls was just 20,000 kip (about 2.50 USD). This includes entry to the on-site bear rescue centre. Yes — there are bears here! More on that below.

Can you swim at Kuang Si Falls?

I’m sure you’ve been dying to know whether you can swim at Kuang Si Falls. You can’t swim at the main big waterfall, but you can swim in many of the lower pools. Bear in mind, though, that some of the pools are sacred, so make sure to read the signs and keep out of those.

The lower pools are perfect for swimming, although the water is quite cold. There are hut-like changing areas nearby so you can switch in and out of your swimsuit easily.

What to expect when visiting Kuang Si Falls

Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

As you walk through the entrance of Kuang Si Falls — before you reach the waterfall itself — you’ll come across the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre. This centre is run by an Australian charity called Free The Bears, and it works to rescue Moon Bears from poachers and the devasting Chinese medicine market.

Sadly, Moon Bear bile is thought to have medicinal properties, so the bears are poached and trafficked across the region. This, along with deforestation, has led to them being added to the vulnerable species list. There are over 20 Moon Bears at the rescue centre who have been saved from cruelty and now live in large enclosures with lots of enrichment.

Swim in the lower pools

As you leave the bear rescue centre behind and arrive at the falls itself, you’ll find a network of pools bordered by cascading rims, forming a sort of watery staircase. There are three tiers of pools that work their way up to the main waterfall — take one of the trails along the side of the pools and work your way up.

You’ll soon spot the best pools for swimming. There’s a big one with an overhanging branch that many people like to jump from, and the water here is particularly blue. Make sure you bring a swimsuit!

Admire the main waterfall

From the first pool, it takes about 15 minutes of walking to get to the main waterfall itself. This gorgeous cascade is 50 metres high, made up of several streams of water trickling through the jungle canopy and over limestone rock, before reaching the pool below.

As you approach, you’ll see a wooden walkway that crosses the pool at a safe distance from the fall. This bridge is the closest you’ll get to the main waterfall, and a great spot to admire it.

Do you know why this waterfall is called “Kuang Si”? Well, according to legend, a wise old man dug a hole in the ground and milky-blue water began to fill it. The water was so beautiful that it caught the attention of a golden deer, who made his home under one of the large rock formations near the water. In the local dialect, “Kuang” means deer and “Si” means to dig.

Hike to the top for epic views

There are some steps to the left of the wooden footbridge, where you’ll find a trail that leads up to the top of the waterfall. I highly recommend you hike this trail — it only takes 15 minutes or so — as the views from the top are beautiful. You’ll get above the trees and be able to see the Laotian countryside around you.

At the top of the trail, you’ll also find some tranquil pools that lead up to the edge of the cliff that the waterfall tumbles from, as well as a rope swing and a picnic area to enjoy. However, the trail is quite steep and can be slippery due to water flowing over the path, so make sure you take it slow and use caution.

Luang Prabang essentials

Want to visit Kuang Si Falls yourself? Here’s what you need to know when planning a trip to the nearby town of Luang Prabang.

Where: There is a splattering of hostels in Luang Prabang, with Downtown Backpackers Hostel 2 and Y-Not Laos being the best choices. If you’re looking for private accommodation, On The Mekong Resort is a beautiful and great value option.

When: November to January is the best time to visit Luang Prabang and the falls, as it’s warm and there is little rainfall during these months.

How: The closest airport to Luang Prabang is Luang Prabang International Airport, where you can fly direct from a few destinations, including Vientiane, Bangkok and Hanoi. You can also take a minibus from Vang Vieng, which costs about 8 USD and takes 5 hours, or a minibus from Vientiane would take 7 hours and cost 19 USD.

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