Don't miss Kuang Si

The upper waterfall at Tat Kuang Si

It's just about to rain again so I thought I'd show you some more water, this time the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls that are a must-see about 30kms south of Luang Prabang in Laos. The many-tiered falls cascade over limestone formations and into a series of gorgeous turquoise pools in which you can swim. Bring your trunks but be warned, the water can be chilly as the pools are often shaded by the forest. Its a lovely spot with the larger falls at the top, which can be reached by a path through the forest or along the tarmac road. As you descend, there's a series of swimming pools to enjoy, smaller waterfalls as well as two enclosures, one for a well-hidden tiger, the other for frolicking sun bears, two of whom put on a great show for us but who moved so quickly that most of my photos were a blur of fur! There was a lot of water for my visit but I can imagine parts of Kuang Si are a raging torrent during the rainy season. After visiting the waterfall park we made our way to Vang Vieng across some stunningly visual mountain passes with jagged mist-shrouded limestone mountain peaks in the distance. Well worth stopping your transport if possible to get a few shots of the beautiful scenery along Route 13.

The map of Tat Kuang Si and surrounds

One of the smaller waterfalls at the lower end of Kuang Si

Some of the gorgeous turquoise pools awaiting your arrival

I waited for a woman washing herself in this waterfall to finish before taking this photo

One of the two large sun bears rescued from poachers at Kuang Si

An old abandoned wooden Lao house next to one of the lower waterfalls

A view of the gorgeous scenery from Route 13 as you wind your way to Vang Vieng