Luang Prabang - Kuang Si waterfalls and bears

Moon Bears, Bear Rescue Centre, Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

While in Luang Prabang, it is worth taking a trip out to the Kuang Si waterfalls. You can do this as part of a group, which is cheaper, but we opted to have more freedom, and go on our own.

We asked a few jumbo drivers for a price, and unsurprisingly found that we got a better price form a driver who was just a little further away from the main part of the peninsula. He took us, waited there while we visited, and brought us back.

Moon Bears, Bear Rescue Centre, Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Once you reach the place, you can visit a butterfly house, but we didn't bother, partly because we had heard that it wasn't that good at looking after them.


What we did visit, was the Bear Rescue Centre. This was set up by an Australian woman, who had heard about the practice of 'milking' bile from the gall bladder of captive bears, and decided to try to rescue them.

They now have numerous rescue centres around SE Asia, of which this is one.

Moon Bears, Bear Rescue Centre, Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

The Moon Bears, or Asiatic Bears here certainly look happy and well cared for. It amused us to watch one, who appeared to be diligently supervising the repainting of an empty section of the enclosure.

Once satisfied that it was being done right, he would wander off and amuse himself, but he would check again every so often.

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Further on, we reached the waterfalls. These aren't the largest or most impressive of falls - in fact, the main drop itself was actually the least impressive part for me.

In my opinion, what makes these worth seeing, is the lower section, where there are multiple pools, with small drops to the next. They look beautiful, and have a lovely pale colour to the water. Of course people do come here to swim, which makes getting a clear photo a bit of an exercise in patience, but never mind.

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

These waterfalls certainly aren't on a par with the wonders of places like Iguazu, but they are an excellent reminder that something doesn't have to be the tallest, widest or any other superlative, to be worth seeing. The Kuang Si falls have their own individual charm, and are well worth the trip out.

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang