Wat Chedi Luang
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tha Phae Gate and Chiang Mai's Old City walls
i
Photo: Douglas Perkins, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — a public square
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; Sunday market in the evening
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 20 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Sunday market
- Sunday evenings — west from the gate along Ratchadamnoen Road
- Reconstruction
- Today's gate was rebuilt in 1985–1987
- Festivals
- Songkran in April and Yi Peng / Loy Krathong in November, on the square
- Where
- The east side of the Old City, at the start of Tha Phae Road
- Nearby
- The Night Bazaar about 1 km east, Wat Chedi Luang 10 minutes west
Key facts
1296the gate was first built under King Mangrai, Chiang Mai's founder
Sourcei
English WikipediaChiang Rueakthe gate's original name, after a nearby village
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1985–1987the municipality and Fine Arts Department rebuilt today's gate
Sourcei
English WikipediaOld photowith archaeological evidence, it guided the Lanna-style brickwork
Sourcei
English WikipediaOuter gateonce stood further along the same road; it was demolished as the city grew
Sourcei
English WikipediaPing Rivera trade route led from the gate to the river — hence its importance
Sourcei
English WikipediaSundaythe walking market on Ratchadamnoen Road starts here
Sourcei
travel guides≈ 1 kmto the Night Bazaar, east along Tha Phae Road
Sourcei
OSMWhat is Tha Phae Gate?
Tha Phae Gate is the eastern and best-known entrance to Chiang Mai's Old City, a square ringed by a moat and remnants of brick walls. It was first built in 1296, when King Mangrai founded the city, and was then called Chiang Rueak after a nearby village. A trade route ran from the gate to the Ping River.
The walls and gates were dismantled and rebuilt many times. Today's crenellated brick gate is a 1985–1987 reconstruction: the municipality and the Fine Arts Department recreated it from historical records, archaeology and an old photograph. So it isn't original, but a faithful Lanna-style copy.
The square, market and festivals
In front of the gate is a large square where people feed pigeons, take photos and meet up. On Sunday evenings a walking market runs west from here along Ratchadamnoen Road — food, crafts, souvenirs and music, almost as far as Wat Phra Singh.
The city's biggest festivals happen on the square: Songkran in April, with water fights along the moat, and Yi Peng / Loy Krathong in November, when lanterns float into the sky and little flower-and-candle rafts onto the water. It gets very crowded then.
What to see
- The crenellated gate — the Old City's main symbol.
- The moat and wall remnants around the Old City.
- The square in front of the gate, with pigeons and street performers.
- The Sunday walking market on Ratchadamnoen Road.
- Tha Phae Road — temples and shops all the way to the Night Bazaar.
- Festivals — Songkran and Yi Peng on the square.
How to get to Tha Phae Gate
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Wat Chedi Luang is about 14 min away on foot.
- Wat Chiang Man is about 14 min away on foot.
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is about 18 min away on foot.
More tips
- By red songthaew, Grab or tuk-tuk to Tha Phae Gate — the main landmark for drivers.
- From Chiang Mai airport — 15–20 minutes by taxi.
- From the Night Bazaar — about 1 km west along Tha Phae Road, 15 minutes on foot.
- From Wat Chedi Luang — about 10 minutes east on foot along Ratchadamnoen Road.
- The gate stands at the junction of Tha Phae Road and Moon Muang Road.
How long do you need?
The gate itself takes 15–20 minutes — a photo and a stroll along the moat. But it's the best starting point for a walk round the Old City and a good place to end the evening: the market on Sundays, or the cafés around the square on other days.
In the morning the square is nearly empty and the light is soft; in the evening the gate is lit.
Is Tha Phae Gate worth it?
Yes: it's Chiang Mai's symbol and the most convenient place to start a walk — and on Sundays, the gateway to the city's main walking market.
The YesGo take: the gate itself is a reconstruction, so you won't spend long on it. The value is in the square, the market and the festivals. If you're not in town on a Sunday, stop by on the way to the temples.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Chiang Mai history: compare and choose
Historic sights in Chiang Mai rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Tha Phae Gateyou are here | 44 | 20 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Chiang Man | 44 | 30 min | Free | 14 min walk |
| Wat Umong | 40 | 1 h | Free | 4.2 km |
| Wat Chedi Luang | 39 | 1 h | ≈ 40–50 baht | 13 min walk |
| Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) | 39 | 30 min | ≈ 50 baht | 25 min walk |
| Wat Phra Singh | 38 | 45 min | grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht | 22 min walk |
| Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | 31 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20 | 7.8 km |
An evening in Chiang Mai
Wat Chedi Luang by day, Tha Phae Gate towards evening, then the Night Bazaar. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Wat Chedi Luang1 h · ≈ 40–50 baht
- 13 min walk from the previous stopTha Phae Gateyou are here20 min · free
- 14 min walk from the previous stopChiang Mai Night Bazaar1 h 30 min · free
3 places · about 3 h 17 min with walks · 27 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Wat Chiang Man
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra Singh
Chiang Mai, Thailand
How to do it right
- The best photo is from the square in the morning, before the crowds.
- In the evening the gate is lit up.
- On Sundays the market starts right here.
- Pigeon feed costs money — watch your things.
- Nearby: Wat Chedi Luang, 10 minutes on foot.
Questions
Is there an entry fee at Tha Phae Gate?
No — it's a public square.
Is it the original ancient gate?
No, today's gate is a 1985–1987 reconstruction on the site of the 1296 gate.
When is the Sunday market?
Sunday evenings, west from the gate along Ratchadamnoen Road.
Which festivals take place at the gate?
Songkran in April and Yi Peng / Loy Krathong in November.
How do I get there?
By songthaew, Grab or tuk-tuk to Tha Phae Gate; 15–20 minutes from the airport.
How far is the Night Bazaar?
About 1 km east, 15 minutes on foot.
How long do you need?
15–20 minutes, but it's the starting point for an Old City walk.
What's nearby?
Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man and the Night Bazaar.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Tha Phae Gate: founding in 1296, former name, 1985–1987 reconstruction, outer gate, trade route to the Ping River
- 2026 travel guides — Sunday market, festivals on the square (unofficial)
- OSM — gate coordinates and distances to nearby sights
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — transport
Top YesGo picks: Chiang Mai
Wat Umong
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Doi Inthanon
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Elephant Nature Park
Chiang Mai, Thailand