Tha Phae Gate
ประตูท่าแพ
The east gate of Chiang Mai's Old City. The red-brick walls and the square in front of the moat are landmarks, the starting point of the Sunday Walking Street, and a main venue for festivals.
Tha Phae Gate was the east gate when King Mengrai founded the city in the late 13th century. The existing gate and walls were rebuilt in the 1980s on the old foundations. The square in front of the red-brick walls is Chiang Mai's most famous photo spot, often crowded with flocks of pigeons. Tha Phae Road outside the gate leads to the riverside and the night markets, while Ratchadamnoen Road inside the gate is the main street of the Sunday Night Market. Large events are held here every year during Songkran water festival in April, the Yi Peng lantern festival in November and New Year's, drawing huge crowds. Admission is free and it is open all day. In the evening, when the walls are lit up, it makes a great photo backdrop. The surrounding area has the highest concentration of backpacker hostels, massage parlors and cafés, and it's the easiest place to find a songthaew or Grab.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Wat Phan Tao
- Sunday Walking Street Market
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Chiang Man
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
- Saturday Walking Street (Wua Lai Road)
- Wat Phra Singh