Review of Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls
in Luang Prabang

"About Kuang Si Waterfalls, and how to get there"

Sign near entrance to Kuang si waterfalls in Laos

Last updated on April 13, 2013
All information below is subject to change

Admission: 20,000 kip per person

After you've paid the admission you have to walk for about 5-10 minutes before you reach the falls. Follow the paved sloped road till you reach some bridges. On your left you'll see the gorgeous waterfalls which flow into turquoise water pools!

Ticket to Kuang Si waterfalls in Luang Prabang

There are several bridges and they're strategically built in front of the highest waterfall so you can take pictures! :-)

The travelers I went with, told me that you can climb to the top and take a dip in a refreshing swimming hole.

Many backpackers who visit Kuang Xi do this, and it's a good way of cooling yourself in the Laotian heat.

You'll also get a killer view of the waterfalls :-)

I never got to the top though because of the muddy "stairs" and my newly stitched-up foot.

If you don't want to climb to the top, you can always take a dip in the many water pools.

Take a look at the water...

To see the black bears at this site, take a short walk from the entrance and go to Bear Rescue Center. According to 'Free the Bears', all the bears here have been confiscated from traffickers and poachers.

How long: I recommend to stay there at least one hour, to see the waterfalls and go swimming.

We stayed here for two hours, and then we got bored :-P

Best time to visit: You can visit the waterfalls at any season.

It's of course best to visit the waterfalls during the rain season (June to October) when the water volume is at its highest. But the rainy season is not exactly the ideal travel season for most backpackers.

I visited Kuang Si at the end of November, and thought it was pretty powerful at this time.

Where to eat: Outside the entrance there were several food stalls selling grilled fish and chicken with rice.

Tip: Bring your own sticky rice and fruit for the trip.

Where is Tat Kuang Si located: about 30 km south of center of Luang Prabang

How to get there:

The cheapest way of getting there, is to share a Songthaew with fellow backpackers (1 hour). Any Songthaew driver in Luang Prabang can take you there.

We were 5 people sharing a Songthaew back in Nov 2007, and we paid 50,000 Kip (in total and for round-trip). Those were the cheaper times. Now, you have to expect to pay about 100,000 for a trip with a songthaew. Bargain!

Another way is to hire a moto in town. On your way to the waterfalls you can stop by small villages and take pictures.

If you're planning on hiring a bicycle or a moto, be careful because the roads can be rough. Our ride in a Songthaew was bumpy, so you can just imagine how the roads are for cyclists.

Otherwise, several guesthouses and tour agencies, on Th Sakkarin and Th Sisavangvong, arrange tours to Tat Kuang Si waterfalls.

Expect to pay around $ 20 or 150,000 kip for a tour up to the waterfalls.