Laos · Luang Prabang
Kuang Si Falls
Turquoise, mineral-tinted water cascades down a tiered limestone staircase into a series of pools popular for swimming, with a rescued-sun-bear sanctuary at the entrance. It is the single most popular day-trip destination from the UNESCO-listed old town of Luang Prabang.
Turquoise, mineral-tinted water cascades down a tiered limestone staircase into a series of pools popular for swimming, with a rescued-sun-bear sanctuary at the entrance. It is the single most popular day-trip destination from the UNESCO-listed old town of Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si Falls drops 50 metres (164 ft) on the Kuang Si. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Luang Prabang, with LPQ the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
Dry season (Nov-Mar) gives the clearest turquoise pools; wet season browns the water but boosts flow.
What you can do here
Swimming
Plunge pools, natural infinity pools and the occasional lip pool you can legally sit in.
Zip lines
Cable-crossing a gorge at the height the spray reaches, usually with the falls in your peripheral vision the whole way.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
Wildlife & safari
Falls that sit inside serious wildlife country, where the water is only half the reason to come.
When to go
Dry season (Nov-Mar) gives the clearest turquoise pools; wet season browns the water but boosts flow.
Entry: Entry fee ~20,000 LAK
Getting there
- Base townLuang Prabang
- AirportLPQ
- CountryLaos
- RegionLuang Prabang, Asia
- AccessEasy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
On the map
19.75, 102.1608
Quick answers
How tall is Kuang Si Falls?
Kuang Si Falls drops 50 metres (164 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Kuang Si.
When is the best time to visit Kuang Si Falls?
Peak flow is January to March and November to December. Dry season (Nov-Mar) gives the clearest turquoise pools; wet season browns the water but boosts flow.
What can you do at Kuang Si Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, zip lines, hiking, photography and wildlife & safari. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Kuang Si Falls?
The usual base is Luang Prabang, and the closest airport is LPQ. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Entry fee ~20,000 LAK.
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