Kuang Si Falls, Natural waterfall cascade in Luang Prabang Province, Laos.
The multilevel system extends over 60 meters in height and consists of numerous turquoise pools flowing down limestone formations surrounded by dense rainforest, with the main basin at the base reaching about 50 meters in width and displaying natural travertine layers.
The region was inhabited by Hmong and Khmu tribes until 1975, before the Lao government introduced conservation measures that officially designated the area as a protected park in 1995 and permitted infrastructure improvements in 2013, including paved pathways and changing facilities for growing visitor numbers.
The site attracts visitors seeking respite from tropical heat who swim in its natural pools, while Buddhist monks use the area for meditation and local communities perform traditional cleansing rituals at the upper basins, particularly during religious holidays and New Year ceremonies.
The facility lies 18 miles (29 kilometers) south of Luang Prabang city and operates daily from 08:00 to 17:30 with an entrance fee of 60,000 kip (approximately $2.70 USD). Tuktuks require about one hour for the journey, while minivans depart directly from hotels and visitors should bring swimwear, towels, and slip-resistant footwear.
A bear rescue center at the entrance houses over 20 Asiatic black bears saved from bile farms and illegal wildlife trade, allowing visitors to observe rehabilitation programs run by Free the Bears Foundation since 2003 that provide education about species conservation.
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