Kuang Si Falls: Turquoise blue water in the lush jungle
January 25, 2016
Location: Laos
Kuang Si falls are located 23 km from Luang Prabang.
My Experience
I remember something about my driving to Kuang Si Falls. It was nice to see local people going to work and children riding bicycles to the school. Once I arrived my driver waited in the car park area that was surrounded by vendors.
Before talking about my experience, I just like to write 2 words about the legend the surround this magical falls. Legend claims a wise old man beckoned the Nam Si river by digging deep into the earth. After the water arrived, a golden deer made its home under a protruding rock. The sound of the water falling on this bolder created an enchanting echo that drew people from as far away as China to this site. ‘Kuang’ means deer and ‘Si’ means dig. Welcome to Kuang Si Falls.
Lovely experience. Kuang Si Falls
Even a watermill into the park. Kuang Si Falls
The falls themselves are spectacular and the water is a beautiful light blue surrounded by jungle. At the very bottom of the falls there are several blue pools of water and small cascades. Most of the pools are open for swimming, just one was closed as being a sacred site. The water is pretty cold because this area is shaded by big trees. Picnic benches are also available all around the park and and the site is well maintained with walkways and bridges to guide foreign people.
Amazing cascades with torquoise blue water. Kuang Si Falls
Cold water but a real paradise for every traveller went there. Kuang Si Falls
Just after you get the entrance gate there is a bear rescue centre. A number of Asiatic black bears rescued from poachers and illegal wildlife trade live in an enclosure with lots of trees swings. This part was really interesting too.
Once we’d had a swim we wandered back to the car park. It was a very enjoyable outing and this is a must see attraction if ever you visit Luang Prabang.
Lovely bear into the Rescue center. Kuang Si Falls
How to get there, best time and cost
There are different ways to get here: by Tuk Tuk, by boat, by minivan or even by bike.
I found the cheapest one sharing a Tuk Tuk with other travellers. I’ve been there with other 4 travellers and we paid about 5$AUD each return. We didn’t wait a lot of time because we decided all together what to do. The entrance fee at Kuang Si Falls is about 3$AUD. The best time to get there is from November – April.
uTips
- There are changing huts and vendors selling snacks and drinks.
- Wearing swimwear and bring flip-flops too, can be very slippery when wet.
- There is no separate admission fee to the bear rescue center (supported by the Free the bears Fund).
- Get a relaxing day looking at local people enjoying their time swimming at the pool, smiling and making a pic-nic in the park.
- My last tip: Don’t get stuck with the thing that ruins your day, life is too short to be wasted in your crap. Smile and be positive because there are so many beautiful reasons to be happy, one of those is travelling.
Author of this post: Davide
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A very nice place if you want to miss the crowds and to observe beautiful nature. A really must added on my bucket list!
Stunning place to visit! thanks for your comment
Oh gosh such a beautiful place! 😀
Wonderful no?!?! I just felt in love to this incredible location!! Thank you for this comment, spread the word 😀
This looks like a hidden gem and surreal indeed! Thanks for sharing amazing tips to visit there!
Thank you Ana for commenting here 😀
I went to Laos because of Kuang Xi! It was a lovely place! We even hiked up to the watersource, found our own little lagoon to swim in. Awesome memories!
Wowww you also have been there, great! thanks for sharing it
I hate that I wasn’t able to visit Laos during my trip through Southeast Asia. I definitely plan to return and Laos is high on my list. Kuang Si Falls looks like such an amazing place!
Hey Colby not really lucky! You should get there and make a trip around Luang Prabang, you will find amazing places like this one! thanks 😀
I love the mix of practical tips and personal experience – perfect 😀 How beautiful are these falls?! Almost seems like they should be kept a big secret 😉
Reallyyyy beautiful, I love it!! Include it on your bucket list please 😀 thank you for passing on utravelshare.com
The landscapes look stunning! Thanks for sharing your pictures, they’re all very beautiful! Definitely planning to go there someday
Yes Miriam you should go there! Thank you for this comment 😀
Those waterfalls are stunning. The best kind are tucked away in the jiggles. And I’d be scared to come up close and personal with that massive bear!
Well, the bears are inside a natural reserve and protected from the people outside too!! nice experience and thank you for your comment
That is an interesting legend to the place. I am always curious about such legends.
Just imagine a golden deer! Sounds so fairy tale like.
Great pics.
thank you so much Indrani! 😀
Loved your captures of the waterfalls. The cascades of the falls surrounded by the greens look gorgeous. We would definitely love to make a visit to these falls and also the bear park and meet those giant beasts.
Nice place, from the lake with the crystal clear water to the bear’s natural reserve!! a must-see in Laos! thanks for your comment
The fall looks spectacular and somehow reminds me of the terraces from Pamukkale, in Turkey. It’s great that you can swim in the lagoon near it, I bet it’s quite a fun experience, even if the water is cold.
The water is pretty cold and I can remember people jumping from a small peak just 3 meters above the lake!! 😀
The waters of Kuang Si Falls looks like precious gems! Oh such a lucky traveller ☺
Thank you so much 😀
That story about the way the waterfall got its name is quite interesting. It is legends like this that add that special charm to places. I love reading about them. Cheers
Thanks Amy, 😀
Your pictures are so wonderful! The blue of the water looks so refreshing. That bear looks like it doesnt want to be disturbed lol.
The bear was so beautiful and I didn’t except to find a reserve there, anyway Kuang Si Falls deserve a visit 😀 thanks for your comment
Such a beautiful destination. I neglected Laos in my past visits to SE Asia but I definitely will not make that mistake again…and I’ll have to make sure to include Kuang Si Falls in my lists of things to see.
Easy to get there from Luang Prabang (another beautiful destination); thanks for your comment 😀
I love your last tip! Sometimes things go wrong while traveling and it is best to just move on and not let it affect the rest of your day.
Exactly Carmny, thanks for your comment 😀
Those pictures are truly stunning and the Kuang Si Falls definitely seem like a must-see place. Another place to add to my bucket list!
Exactly, one more place on your bucket list and really easy-to-get from Luang Prabang (another lovely place I really suggest to visit); thanks for your comment, 😀
This is such a beautiful place. Oh my god. I just love the beautiful pictures. You have done a great job with this post. This place is definitely going to be on my bucket list.
Thanks for your comment Laveena 😀
Truly hope to visit Kuang Si Falls someday. Everything from the jungle vibe, waterfall front bridge, to the turquiose water steps. You did such an excellent job explaining the visual masterpiece that is this site and I am sold! (and seeing that beautiful bear would be a super bonus! wow)
Yes Gary, something that I really suggest you: Visit this beautiful and peaceful place… 😀