Forget the “Secret Pool”- This Is Kuang Si’s Actual Hidden Waterfall

a small table covered with a white cloth by a secret section of the Kuang Si Waterfalls, with a waterfall and turquoise pool in the background

That secret pool everyone’s blogging about at the Kuang Si Falls? Yeah, it doesn’t exist.

Well, apparently it exists. Just not for you and me.

Since you’re looking for these pools, you- like me- want a break from the crowds.

Luckily, the ‘fake news’ secret pool is not the only spot where you can achieve this.

So read on, and I’ll share the perfect spot. Secret- and accessible.

If you want to skip all my anecdotes, just jump right down to the ‘Real Secret Falls’ section. But you’ll like my anecdotes, so don’t.

the bright turquoise pools and falls of kuang si waterfalls near Luang Prabang in Laos
The main falls are no doubt remarkable- but they get really busy!

The ‘Fake News’ Secret Pool at Kuang Si

As a blogger, I like to do research before heading to places during my travels.

During my research for the Kuang Si Falls, I kept seeing one thing that stood out in my mind:

‘Secret Pool’.


‘Beautiful and serene’.

‘Hidden- no one even goes there!’

Well that part is right. No one does even go there. Nowadays, the pool is considered sacred and public access has been cut off. I’m not really sure how something can become sacred in 2025, but who am I to judge.

Anyway, Nomadic Matt (one of the biggest travel blogs there are) wrote a long post detailing how wonderful the pool was and how exactly to get there, step by step.

So I turned up at Kuang Si and tried to navigate my way to this fabled secret pool. But I had missed a disclaimer that my boy Matt had put at the top of his page:

UPDATE 2024: This pool no longer accessible and you shouldn’t go there.’

Well, great.

So skip the fake news secret pool.

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The Real Secret Falls at Kuang Si

The real secret falls are located a little ways away from the main falls, closer to the parking lot.

The real secret falls at Kuang Si are actually called the Kounh Moung Keo Falls.

It’s not like they’re a complete secret. But it also isn’t like the OG ‘fake news’ secret falls were either.

And they’re a hell of a lot quieter than the main falls. I can attest to being the only one swimming there, and I was there for a while.

an empty layered secret emerald green clear pool with small waterfalls in the middle of dense greenery at the Kuang Si waterfalls near Luang Prabang Laos.
One of the pools at the hidden Kounh Moung Keo Falls

How to Get to the Secret Kuang Si Falls

I’m assuming you’re going to go to the main falls first. And you should. In order to get there, you’re going to take a shuttle car from the main entrance.

After the shuttle drops you back at the entrance, you can head to the secret falls. If you have your own transport (i.e. motorbike), drive the short minute over to the falls.

If you don’t, oh well. No secret falls for you.

Kidding. It’s a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.

Note: If you like this content, make sure to check out my brand new budget 2-week guide to Laos!

Why It’s Worth It

In my mind, you get equivalent beauty without any of the people (nor the price).

The Kounh Moung Keo Falls are made up of several pools.

The first pool is fed from a tall waterfall. You can see a photo below:

a small table covered with a white cloth by a secret section of the Kuang Si Waterfalls, with a waterfall and turquoise pool in the background
The main pool at Kounh Moung Keo Falls. And yep, you can eat here. I’ll talk about it below.

After that, there are more pools that continue off to the right and curve back, forming a ‘C’ shape. All the pools are connected by the most beautiful, flowing cascades. And the color, as always, is remarkable.

I spent most of my time by the bottom pools, which I pictured earlier in the ‘real secret falls’ section.

The bottom pools have an air of serenity, with many layered pools and a swing, where you can lie on your back and let yourself swing while brushing your legs through the water.

It also is the most secluded from others. While there aren’t many other swimmers, there is a restaurant located in the middle of the ‘C’.

There are definitely pros and cons to it being there. One pro is obviously that you can eat here and the setting is magnificent.

The con, of course, is that it takes away from the seclusion. But the restaurant wasn’t so busy when I visited, and I have a feeling it rarely does get busy. But still, the bottom pools are the most secluded from it.

a swing on top of an emerald green pool with small cascades in the background, by a secret section of the Kuang Si Waterfalls
person on a swing on top of an emerald green pool with small cascades in the background, by a secret section of the Kuang Si Waterfalls

Quick Tips

I’d like to give a few pointers.

First, don’t prioritize these falls when it comes to timing. By that I mean, head to the main falls at the least busy time and come here either after or before that.

If you arrive early in the morning, head to the main Kuang Si falls first, then come to the secret falls when you’re done. If you arrive late, head to the secret falls first and Kuang Si after.

Second, hang out by the bottom pools. I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Especially if the restaurant is a bit on the busier side, the bottom pools will feel a lot more secluded.

Lastly, don’t tell anyone about this! Rich coming from me, who just posted this for the world to see. Only you guys get to know about this, since you visited my blog. No one else deserves to.

If you end up heading to the secret Kuang Si Falls, let me know what you thought in the comments below!

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