From traveller to tourist attraction..? When we set off to visit Kuang Si Waterfalls in Laos, I was expecting one of those ‘wow’ travel moments: postcard scenery, jungle tranquility, turquoise pools I could swim in all day. And to be fair, it delivered on all of that—especially the upper tiers of the falls, which were serene and breathtaking.

But by the end of the visit, what stayed with me wasn’t the view or the water. It was the strange, disorienting experience of being filmed, photographed, and objectified by strangers—as if we were the attraction, not the waterfall.

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Yes, It’s Worth Visiting

Let me say this first: the Kuang Si Waterfalls are genuinely stunning. Tucked into the lush greenery outside Luang Prabang, the falls cascade down in tiers, each one spilling into bright turquoise pools. We hiked to the top where it was quiet and still—just us, the sound of the falls, and the dense, peaceful forest around us.

If you’re in Laos, you absolutely should go. But be prepared for more than just natural beauty.

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When the Tourists Turn Their Cameras on You

Coming back down, we stopped at the lower pools for a swim. That’s when things got weird.

There was a large group of Chinese tourists—easy to spot with matching red caps—gathered by the water. As we walked towards the pool, we noticed some sort of commotion going on. The group of Chinese tourists were literally going crazy over something but it wasn’t until we got closer when we realised, it wasn’t what, it was who. Their phones and cameras were pointed, not at the waterfall, but at a pale, ginger-haired girl in a bikini who was just coming out of the water.

She looked so uncomfortable. The group of red-capped tourists were grabbing her arms to take a picture with her as she was trying to reach for her towel. I asked her what was going on and she said “I think it’s because of my skin and hair colour”. Then I noticed it too. It wasn’t just her. Any white, blonde or ginger woman who stepped into the water in swimwear became a target. People were filming, snapping photos, even zooming in. It felt intrusive and bizarre. Erin, a friend I had made whilst travelling, was pulled in—physically grabbed—by a group of women who insisted on taking a photo with her, even as she protested.

As I’d witnessed all of this unfold, I felt incredibly uncomfortable about going into the what should have been tranquil blue lagoon. Instead, I stood on the edge of the water fully clothed for a long time, genuinely unsure if I even wanted to get in anymore. Eventually, when the crowd seemed distracted, I undressed behind the security of a towel and slipped in quietly. But it didn’t take long before phones turned in my direction too. I could feel their eyes on me, the click of lenses, the filming. This continued as I came out the pool and dried myself off. It was bizarre. Surreal. And not at all the experience I expected from a swim in the lagoon.

It wasn’t a quick selfie or a polite ask. It was invasive and completely lacking in respect.

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Understanding Doesn’t Equal Accepting

Now, I want to be clear. I understand that cultural differences exist. I know that in some places, seeing white Westerner women in bikinis is unusual, and for many, a curiosity. I also understand that the idea of personal space, consent, or privacy can vary across cultures.

But understanding something doesn’t mean you have to accept it. And this didn’t feel like innocent curiosity. It felt like objectification. It felt wrong.

What made it even harder to process was that no one asked. Not once. Not a gesture or a question—just phones in our faces and people pulling at our arms. When someone is clearly saying no, laughing nervously, trying to move away—and you keep pushing—that’s no longer a cultural misunderstanding. That’s just disrespect.

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The Comparison That Kept Coming Back to Me

As I travelled through Southeast Asia, I often came across monks in temples. I saw other tourists taking photos, sometimes with them. Most people would simply ask. Then be respectful of the response. Because that’s what travel is supposed to be—a respectful exchange, not a performance.

So when people treated us like living photo ops, I couldn’t help but compare. It wasn’t mutual, and it certainly wasn’t respectful. It was a power imbalance playing out in real time. And in that moment, Kuang Si didn’t feel magical. It felt performative. Like we were just props in someone else’s memory.

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Would I Still Recommend It? Yes—but Go in With Eyes Open

Kuang Si Waterfalls is beautiful. It really is. The natural scenery deserves all the praise it gets. But if you go, I’d recommend heading out early—before the tour buses arrive. That’s when the pools are quieter, the air feels fresher, and you can actually hear the falls rather than the chaos around them.

But more than that, I’d recommend going in with awareness. Know that while you’re there to experience something beautiful, you might become part of the spectacle too. And that might leave you feeling a little off balance, a little uneasy.

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Planning a Trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls

• 📍 About 45 minutes from Luang Prabang (by tuk-tuk or motorbike)
• 💵 Entry Fee: 20,000 kip (~£1)
• 🕘 Best Time to Visit: Early morning, before 10am
• 🐻 Don’t Miss: Free the Bears sanctuary near the entrance
• 👙 Travel Tip: If you’re planning to swim, wear something that makes you feel safe and comfortable—mentally and physically.

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Travelling through Southeast Asia is full of unforgettable moments—many of them heart-opening, humbling, and beautiful. But sometimes, there are moments that challenge you in uncomfortable ways. Kuang Si was one of those moments for me. A reminder that being a tourist doesn’t mean giving up your boundaries. A reminder that respect should go both ways.

Enjoy your Travels

Em x

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