Pay a visit Khonphapheng, the world’s widest waterfall

Did you know that Khonphapheng in the south of Laos is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and the widest set of falls in the world?
This spectacular sight is always top of the list for people visiting southern Laos. It is often referred to as the jewel or the pearl of the Mekong, and is located in the Si Phan Done (4,000 Islands) section of the river, near the border with Cambodia and 148 kilometres from Champassak provincial capital.
The falls are 15 kilometres in length and 10,782 metres (6.7 miles) at the widest section, and a truly impressive sight.
At this point, the river, which has its origins in the far north in the Tibetan Plateau, is constricted and the huge body of water is forced to cascade through a succession of rapids and steep drops over massive boulders.

The fishermen stand on the rocks waiting for the fish.

The falls are especially dramatic in the rainy season when the river is in full spate and visitors can marvel at the power of the cascade as it thunders over sharp rocks.
This time of year is the ideal time to enjoy this majestic natural wonder, as the surrounding area is full of luxuriant green growth with plants and shrubs at their best after soaking up the abundant rain.
The scenery is at its peak right now and, best of all, there are few visitors as tourists have not yet returned to Laos since the country closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.
So this is the time to visit one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls, enjoy the peace, and not be disturbed by hordes of tourists. And of course the absence of visitors means you have a choice of places to stay.
I was lucky enough to visit the falls last month along with other reporters, through a trip arranged by the Tourism Marketing Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The purpose of the excursion was to visit the main tourist attractions in Champassak province and assess their readiness for the return of visitors post-pandemic.
Many visitors to the area like to spend a night or two on one of the small islands in the Mekong River, especially Don Det and Don Khone, which are very laid back, rustic, and far from the bustle of city life.
There are plenty of wooden longboats ready to transport visitors to these islands, with the scenic river trip itself being an added bonus.
You can also take a boat trip from one of the islands to Khonphapheng, passing through bucolic landscapes on the way.
You’ll also see the locals going about their daily routines and get an insight into the way that people earn a living in this part of Laos, and especially the important part the Mekong plays in their lives.
Most people like to travel to the falls by road, as it’s faster and more convenient than going by boat. From Ban Nakasang, it’s a 3-km drive to Road 13 South, then another 8.5km southeast to the turn-off on the right hand side, and a short drive of 1.5km to the falls.
You can also take a tuk-tuk from Nakasang which costs about 50,000 kip for a return journey, including one hour spent at the falls.
When I go to the falls I like to stand on a rock on the edge of the cascade so that I can see the rushing water clearly, and this is where I can see local fisherman at work.
I like to talk to the fishermen, who often tell me about the problems they’re facing because of declining fish stocks, which makes it harder and harder for them to get any in their nets.
I also like to walk through the riverside park and enjoy the many and varied shades of green, as well as the wildflowers that spring up at this time of the year.
There used to be a restaurant close to the falls where you could buy a coffee or sip on fresh coconut juice and listen to the sound of the water pounding over the rocks.
But the restaurant closed when the pandemic hit because there were so few visitors, although there are still some vendors selling tasty snacks, so you won’t go hungry.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to swim anywhere near the falls because the current is far too strong and only fishermen are allowed to enter the water.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update June 28, 2022)