Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the forest canopy - a chain of fourteen wires links twenty platforms spanning the falls, the
longest, at the summit, nearly 400m in length. You can also ride (and bathe with) rather
bored-looking elephants if you wish.
During the dry season, water levels at Tad Se can be rather low so check locally before trav-
elling out there during this period.
Kuang Si and around
Daily 8am-5pm ∙ 20,000K ∙
071 212068 ∙
Bear rescue centre
daily 8.30-5pm ∙ Free (with entry ticket to
falls) ∙
freethebears.org.au
One of the best day-trips from Luang Prabang is to
Kuang Si
waterfall, 25km southwest of
the city, a picturesque, multi-level affair that tumbles 60m before spilling through a series
of milky, aquamarine pools perfect for swimming. The spray from the falls keeps the sur-
rounding grounds cool even at midday, making it an ideal spot for a picnic - tables are
scattered across the site and very popular with local families, giving the falls a fun, festive
feel. Swimming is allowed in several of the lower pools, but the most popular is the second
tier, where there are basic changing facilities and, gazed upon by bemused locals, Westerners
often amuse themselves for hours leaping into the soft, cool water via a rope swing suspended
from an overhanging tree. From here it's a five-minute walk past more tumbling cascades to
the spectacular main drop. A steep path on the opposite side of the falls leads to the top in
about thirty minutes, though it can get quite slippery, so be very careful - and don't attempt
it in wet season.
The path from the entrance to the falls leads past a small, Australian-owned
bearsanctuary
,
home to a few sun and Asiatic black bears rescued from the illegal meat and medicine trade
by the Lao government. Numerous restaurants and food stalls crowd the entrance to the park
and there's a simple café inside.
