Kuang Si Waterfalls - the 14 stage falls are unbelieveably beautiful

The Kuang Si waterfalls are the largest waterfall in Luang Prabang area. Most articles talk about 3 or 4 tiers but frankly I saw at least 14 levels in the falls, from top down. The drop is said to be between 50 – 60 metres into a spectacular azure or turquoise blue pool. It flows downstream into five pools with cascades.  

The route to the Falls is rather long and on a long winding road thru pretty countryside. When one arrives, after paying the entrance ticket, you walk on the tarred road straight up an incline and not on the small path on the right side.
After 10 minute stroll, you come up to the area where people are picnicking. Suddenly you see the Falls. As you go nearer, you find that actually there is not one waterfall but around 14 separate waterfalls dropping from a great height creating new falls as they progress downwards. Awesome does not describe it fully! 

It's an amazing sight. One walks on the bridge and just meditates on what nature has created. There are many people taking photographs of the falls. On the far side there is a path but we did not go up as we were not sure where it was leading. On the right side, there are a series of pools where you can swim. The water is icy cold but still many people especially Europeans were swimming.

The watercolour is an amazing light cerulean blue in colour. This is due to the water flowing over many limestone rocks. ...from the spring to the falls to the travertine cascades. Limestone particles have high levels of calcium carbonate which reflect light making the water appear a stunning turquoise blue colour.  Alongside path there are small boards explaining the beauty of this whole area. You can go on a trail right to the very top where you see the stream feeding into the falls.

The weather at Kuang Si is noticeably cooler than in town. You can picnic here for a few hours or the whole day as there are changing rooms, tables and benches and other facilities. 

The bear sanctuary is not really worth seeing but you cannot avoid it as the path to the exit goes to the bear sanctuary and then out. We saw just 3-4 bears. 
These Falls are definitely worth a visit if you are in the city. Do not miss the falls if you are in Luang Prabang. 

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