Author: jmaurizi

Tha Phae Gate

Tha Phae Gate is part of the eastern wall of the old city in Chiang Mai. Built back in 1296 during the founding of Chiang Mai. Originally there was and outer and inner gate. The outer gate was named Tha Phae Gate while the inner gate was called Chiang Ruak Gate, which is the name of a nearby village. Over time, the outer gate was dismantled and the inner gate became known as Tha Phae Gate.

Visitors used to be able to go on top of the gate but the access has been blocked off and this is not allowed anymore.

Author: jmaurizi

Wat Cheatawan

This is another temple along Tha Phae rd. Very ornate as usual. What I liked at this temple were the very detailed doors entering the main temple. It is small but beautiful. The other thing to note here is that there is a sign marking the temple with the name “Wat Cheatawan” but if you research this on the internet or the Lonely Planet guide book it is spelled everywhere as “Wat Chetawan.” They are one in the same. And on one of the town maps I had from my hotel it was spelled “Wat Chetuwan.”

Directions: Regardless of spelling, this Wat is located on Tha Phae rd near the corner of Thai Phae Soi 2. Google Map will show it on the south side of the road. It is on the north side.

Author: jmaurizi

Wat Buppharam

This is a larger Wat located on Tha Phae Rd. Constructed in 1497, much of the temple has modern renovations. It is said this temple is where Chiang Mai was liberated from 200 years of Burmese control. Very open and more ornate than other Wat’s in the area.

Directions: On Tha Phae rd near the corner of Kamphaengdin Rd.

Author: jmaurizi

Wat Oopakoot

The highlight of the Wat is the entrance. It is well photographed because of the ornate dragons on each side of the entrance. The body of each dragon rolls along the top of the wall like a serpent. Past the entrance is a temple and a very nice garden path on the right. This leads to a large Chedi behind the temple. A very nice quiet place to relax. Along this area is a beautiful shrine with a faux bridge to approach with detailed white dragons on each side of the bridge.

I have two maps from the hotel I stayed at. One map spells this temple “Oopakoot” and the other spells it “U-pakut.” One in the same so don’t be confused. This signage of the name for the temple is in Thai but it is easily identifiable by the dragons at the entrance.

Directions: From the Nawarat Bridge, this is the first temple on the left. It is at the corner of Chang Klan rd and Tha Phae Road.

Author: jmaurizi

Warorot Market

This is a large indoor/outdoor market that caters to local Thai. It is quite an experience walking through the market. There are vendors selling fresh fish or dried fish, meat, dry goods….almost anything you can think of. The lasting memory I will have is the odor or some would say aroma, as you walk around the isles of the market. Most smells were not pleasant. Especially when you get to the fish area. Definitely worth a walk around and through.

They are open every day from 6:00am to 7pm but the food street vendors outside are open much longer.

Directions: Chang Moi Road, close to the Ping River and north of Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.