Tha Phae Gate
The Old City's rebuilt eastern gate, free and open all hours, where the Sunday Walking Street starts at 16:00 and the city's festivals gather.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Finding your way around Tha Phae Gate
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
Getting there and around
- The gate is the middle of the Old City's eastern wall, where Tha Phae Road meets the moat. The Night Bazaar is about 1 km east along Tha Phae Road; the Old City temples are a ten-minute walk west.
- Red songthaews pass the square all day at ฿30 a person. From the airport a Grab costs about ฿120–200.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Tha Phae Gate
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Tha Phae Gate.
Why go, and how to do it well
Ten minutes is enough for the gate itself. The rest of the visit is the square in front of it, which is the point. Tha Phae Gate is the eastern entrance to Chiang Mai's walled Old City, on a site that goes back to King Mangrai's founding of the city in 1296. The original was demolished, and the brick gate and stretch of wall you see now were rebuilt in 1985–86 from old photographs and archaeological evidence. The name means raft landing.
Every Sunday the gate is the start of the Sunday Walking Street, when Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic from here west to Wat Phra Singh and fills with about a kilometer of crafts, textiles and street food from 16:00 to about 22:30. The square is the city's stage, too. The Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival opens here in November, Songkran brings parades and water fights to the gate and the moat in April, and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival uses it as well.
Go in the evening if you're only going once. The brickwork is lit, street vendors set up around the edges, and people settle in to watch other people. Mornings are calmer and better if you want to photograph the wall without a crowd in frame. The pigeons are a fixture, and there's a photo-with-pigeons routine that some visitors find pushier than they expected. One shot and move on is fine.
Entry is free and the square is open around the clock, so there's nothing to plan around. Everyone uses the gate as a reference point. The Night Bazaar is about 1 km east along Tha Phae Road, the Old City temples are a ten-minute walk west, and red songthaews pass the square all day at ฿30 a person. From the airport, a Grab to the gate costs about ฿120 to ฿200.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Tha Phae Gate
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Tours that include Tha Phae Gate
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Tha Phae Gate.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Tha Phae Gate, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minHotel M Chiang MaiHotels & Resorts · 50 m · 4.1★
- 1 minCopacabana Rooftop dinerRestaurants & Food · 60 m · 4.8★
- 1 minTha Phae Walking StreetMarkets & Shopping · 70 m · 4.5★
- 1 minTha Phae GrillRestaurants & Food · 80 m · 4.5★
- 1 minLila Thai MassageWellness & Spas · 90 m · 4.7★
- 1 minTroubadour Blues barNightlife & Bars · 90 m · 4.9★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Tha Phae Gate, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
A lively and iconic spot in Chiang Mai that perfectly blends history, culture, and local energy. The old brick gate gives a beautiful historic charm, and the open square around it makes it a great place to walk around, relax, and people-watch. I especially loved the atmosphere in the evening when the light shows bring the area to life and create a vibrant, colorful vibe. There are plenty of food options nearby, from local street food to cafes and small restaurants, so you can easily spend hours exploring and trying different flavors. Whether you visit during the day or at night, Tha Phe Gate has a special energy that makes it feel memorable. A must-visit place if you want to experience the heart of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is reknown for its old city wall and Tha Phae Gate is a tourist attraction and major landmark. It’s regarded as the heart of Chiang Mai and there’s usually a lot of activities and events held here. The gate is built from red bricks and there’s always loads of pigeons here and it’s said that pigeons are attracted by fortune and luck.
Tha Phae Gate is one of the most iconic spots in Chiang Mai, especially in the evening. The old brick gate looks beautiful when it’s lit up at night, and the atmosphere around it feels lively and cultural. There are street vendors, small shops, and people walking around, which makes it a great place to relax, take photos, and enjoy the local vibe. It’s a good starting point to explore the Old City area. It can be a bit busy at times, but that’s part of the experience. Overall, a must-visit landmark in Chiang Mai for tourists and anyone who enjoys history and night walks. 🌆✨
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 29,544 reviews on Google.
Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Tha Phae Gate: Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Sunday Walking Street start at Tha Phae Gate?
At 16:00 every Sunday, running to about 22:30. Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic from the gate west to Wat Phra Singh for about a kilometer of stalls. Come at 17:00 for the light; by 19:00 it's shoulder to shoulder.
Is Tha Phae Gate free?
Yes. It's a public square, free and open around the clock.
How old is Tha Phae Gate?
The site dates to King Mangrai's founding of Chiang Mai in 1296, but the original gate was demolished. The gate and wall you see were rebuilt in 1985–86 from old photographs and archaeological evidence.
What festivals happen at Tha Phae Gate?
The Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival opens here in November, Songkran brings parades and water fights in April, and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival uses the square as well.
Is Tha Phae Gate worth visiting?
Tha Phae Gate holds a 4.4★ rating from 29,544 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit Tha Phae Gate?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).
Where is Tha Phae Gate located?
Tha Phae Gate is at Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).
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