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Kuang Si Waterfall is the most beautiful in Laos. Laos is mostly known for its natural beauty of verdant rolling hills, vast mountainous regions and a crazy amount of waterfalls (like hundreds). None even come close to the enchanting, captivating and absolutely breath-taking Kuang Si Waterfall.
The three-tier waterfall dramatically cascades into natural pools of water of the truest, clearest turquoise. The late-afternoon/early-evening sunlight shone perfectly through the towering trees.
The Kuang Si Waterfall is less than 30 km from Luang Prabang. Some people hire a tuk-tuk or shared taxi but we rented a motorbike to give us the freedom to visit other sites outside of town. We did come across people who pedal-biked but this really isn't a good idea no matter how much of an "adventure" you want to have.
The road is not a long, straight, flat stretch. It promises to be labour-intensive if you're biking (also keep in mind rental bikes are not in the best shape no matter how much you think you are). It's a spiraling road that can be hazardous even while riding a motorbike.
The road rises slowly but surely; not to mention the excessive heat and the pounding sun. It took about 45 minutes to get there by motorbike cautiously navigating each sharp turn; I have no idea how long it would take by bike.
The nominal entrance fee of 20,000 kip (less than $3) is incredibly cheap for what you have access to. In fact, the waterfall is part of a protected natural ecological park with picnic tables, a restaurant, a small sanctuary for rescued black bears and a number of hiking trails.
We arrived just slightly before the closing time of 5:30 pm. We were very, very lucky the admissions officer was kind enough to let us in (yes, we did beg a little, haha). Honestly, I expected the waterfalls to be overrated but that wasn't the case at all; this place was genuinely mesmerizing!
At first glance, I thought the pristine, aquamarine pools were man made. I had to take a second and third look to make sure they were, in fact, quite real. It seemed almost too good to be true but there I was. I'd be lying if I said I didn't swell up with a few tears.
The best part about arriving so late (though I don't suggest arriving that late) is that we had the whole place to ourselves making it feel even more surreal. We had time to climb to the top of the waterfalls (a slightly strenuous climb) and get close enough to witness them dramatically crashing below.
We had time (albeit limited) to take it all in without any distractions. The downside was the restaurant and the bear sanctuary were closed by the time we finished visiting the site.
Visitors are allowed to swim in only some of the basins as long as they don't wear sunscreen in the water. We didn't have time to take a dip but it didn't bother me. I was grateful for the chance to get see such a beautiful natural wonder. Trust me when I say the Kuang Si Waterfall is a must-see!
READ MORE ON LAOS:
- Visiting the Pak Ou Caves in Laos
- The Waterfalls of Paksong
- Tad Lo: The Small Village with Big Waterfalls
- Vientiane: The Capital City People Love to Hate
- The Day Luang Prabang Cast a Spell on Me
- Riding Through the Countryside in Vang Vieng
- Monks, Wats, Shopping, Eating & Sweating in Luang Prabang
- Indulging in Sweet Nothingness on Don Det Island
TRAVEL RESOURCES
- Verify visa requirements for Laos on the official website
- Book flights to Laos via Skyscanner
- Compare hotel prices in Laos on Booking.com & Agoda
- Check hostel prices on HostelWorld
- Stay connected using an Airalo E-sim for Laos
- Search for tours & excursions in Laos
- Shop for affordable travel insurance with SafetWing
- Save on conversion fees while traveling with Wise
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I’m the founder and creator of Life Untraveled. I quit my corporate job, sold everything I owned and have been traveling full-time since 2018. I hope to inspire you to travel differently on a budget.
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31 Responses
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Adrianna Vogel
With all those blog posts I am reading I think I just found the best one about waterfalls! That looks incredible! I love waterfalls so much I could literary just move there and live there 🙂
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Thank you so much! If you love waterfalls then you need to go to Laos. I’ve never seen so many waterfalls in such a small country!
Mike
These waterfalls look absolutely incredible. I’d love to visit and get some photographs myself and also just sit and watch the water. Looks so peaceful too.
Wanderers Hub
Glad you made it in time else you would have missed these gorgeous Kuang Si Waterfalls. The pictures have come out amazingly well and I could seriously sit there for long long time…
Sanne
I’d love to go to Laos, they say that’s it has a beautiful nature there. Seeing your photos here, makes me understand why they say it! (:
Stacey Sandlin Veikalas
This is really beautiful I love how blue the water the is! I love waterfalls this looks like a great one – if we ever get to Laos we will have to check it out for sure!
Milijana
Laos is on my this year bucket list. Those falls and natural pools look amazing! Saving your post for my trip, thanks!!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
That’s great – Laos is a great country to explore!
Rashmi & Chalukya
We had never heard of these falls before and they are beautiful. The cascades and the color of the falls look surreal. It must be an amazing experience to visit these waterfalls set amidst the lush green nature. Definitely on list!
Deni Verklan
Oh wow! Those waterfalls look absolutely incredible! I would love to be able to swim in the basins as well. They look absolutely pristine! I’d be doing a double take as well to make sure they weren’t in fact man made! I’m always so in awe of how beautiful nature can be. Thanks for sharing! I would have never thought Laos had such stunning waterfalls!
Samantha Lorenz
I have seen a ton of waterfalls in my life but I think this is the most beautiful waterfall I have EVER seen! I’ve had a few friends tell me I need to visit Laos but had I seen these photos I would’ve been on board in a heartbeat. What a view!
Leah Shoup
OH MY GOODNESS. How had I never heard of this either?! Seems like a dream spot for photography with the amazing turquoise shade of the water! Hope I can experience this someday!
Geo
Those waterfalls and those pools are nature’s wonder. I think it’s great they’re enforcing rules and restrictions on swimming in the basins. We need to preserve our beautiful and untouched environment.
Laos is truly a beautiful country but unfortunately not well known around here. Most people opt for visiting Thailand, and I’m trying to make them realize what they’re missing out on. Just look at these photos – isn’t it obvious!? The wildlife and nature is absolutely stunning and anyone who says otherwise does not know what he/she is talking about. I really hope that articles like these will make Laos earn the attention it deserves for its lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls. Until then, I will enjoy stepping off the beaten path, taking photo bomb free pictures, because it is not long until these destinations also become exploited.
Clare
I loved it there, it’s so beautiful. We had great weather and even got to swim in part of it. The water was freezing though but it was worth it!! Such a beautiful part of the world 🙂
Dorothee Baur
Beautiful photos! I absolutely loved Kuang Si waterfalls as well, unfortunately we went there around peak time & it was quite crowded. Had planned it differently, but I was going with a big group and it always takes ages to all meet up 😀
Frank Thomae
Beautiful! Looks like Plitvice Lakes without the people.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
The only reason there weren’t any people was because we arrived so late! 😉
Tiny Cactus
Wow, these are amazing! the color of that water is unreal.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I know – I thought it was fake at first….lol!
Nancy
Yes, I have been to Kuang Si Falls. It is a spectacular place. 💚
Kim-Ling
This looks like so much fun! What a beautiful place.
Lydia
It really is beautiful! Thanks for your comment Kim-Ling!
Bec
I think it was so lucky you were late, your pictures are beautiful! Even though you missed out on the bears (more reason for you to return) I think you scored pretty well with the lack of people! Thank you for sharing!
Lydia
Yes we were lucky they let us in so late! 🙂
Heather @Travelationship
This place is beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Lydia
My pleasure – thanks for commenting! 🙂
Maria
Hi Lydia!
One great thing with travel blogs is that every day I find out a place that not even imagined existed in the world. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing place. Absolutely beautiful.
Lydia
Hi Maria – so happy you discovered a new place thanks to this post! 🙂