Tha Phae Gate

Tha Phae Gate is the restored eastern gate of the historic walled Old City of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Located on Tha Phae Road at the edge of the moat in Mueang Chiang Mai District, it is the most famous of the city's four main gates. Built originally in the late 13th century and reconstructed in the 1980s, the red-brick gate, adjoining wall and open plaza serve as a landmark, meeting point and venue for festivals and markets.

Visitors can expect an open, paved plaza in front of a reconstructed red-brick city gate and sections of the old city wall beside the moat. The area is an open-air public square with pigeons, street performers and vendors, surrounded by shops, cafes and guesthouses. Visitors can walk along the wall, photograph the gate, sit on the plaza, and observe daily activity. During festivals and the Sunday Walking Street, the area becomes a busy pedestrian market and event space.

Tha Phae Gate is one of the four main gates of the walled city of Chiang Mai founded by King Mangrai in 1296. The original earthen and brick walls and gates protected the Lanna capital. The present gate and adjoining wall sections were reconstructed in 1985-1986 based on historical records and photographs, restoring the eastern entrance that historically faced the Mae Ping River and served as the main access for traders and travelers.

The gate is the most iconic symbol of Chiang Mai and a central community gathering place. It serves as a landmark for cultural events, festivals, and the weekly Sunday Walking Street market that extends west from the gate into the Old City. It is a popular meeting point for locals and visitors and represents the heritage of the Lanna walled city.