The largest night market in all of Chiang Mai takes place every Sunday, stretching from the Tha Phae Gate through the old city

Tha Phae Gate is a landmark of Chiang Mai, built with red bricks, the walls are two to three meters high, serving as the welcoming entrance to the old city. There is a public square in front of the gate where celebrations are held during Chiang Mai festivals. I last visited Tha Phae Gate in 2017, and I can't remember if there were pigeons back then. Six years later, taking photos with pigeons against the backdrop of Tha Phae Gate has become a popular activity for tourists. For 100 Thai Baht, you get a service of four people: one to scatter pigeon feed, two to herd the pigeons, and one to take photos. The photographer is adept with a smartphone, finding the best angles and even shooting slow-motion videos. The final picture shows a clear difference between those who paid and those who didn't. The pigeons, struggling to earn their keep, don't have it easy. There are many temples near Tha Phae Gate, with exquisite temples and ancient pagodas everywhere, almost every few steps, each with its own characteristics. Chiang Mai truly deserves its title as the 'City of Temples', a bona fide Buddhist holy land. Every Sunday, the Tha Phae Gate hosts the Sunday night market, which is the largest and liveliest night market in Chiang Mai. Starting at 4 pm every Sunday, the main road from the east gate to the west gate of the old city is closed off for pedestrians. The Sunday market is a great place to hunt for souvenirs, with a wide variety and affordable prices. For example, elephant pants cost 100 Thai Baht at the Sunday market, but the price doubles to 200 Thai Baht at the night markets in Bangkok. A fellow traveler who likes to sell travel souvenirs from around the world at domestic markets stocked up quite a bit on this street. Besides the ubiquitous souvenirs, if you look carefully, you can find many good things. Thai craftsmen are skilled and creative. I bought a tuk-tuk made from a can as a gift for a child. The coconut shell lamp and wooden carvings I bought from this night market six years ago are still displayed as decorations in my home in Anaya, and I also bought a folk CD back then, which I still occasionally play. It's recommended to visit the Sunday market on an empty stomach, as the food area is filled with various Thai street food delicacies. Fried noodles, coconut juice, fruit juices, smoothies, mango sticky rice, grilled fish, grilled chicken, and more. If you get tired, you can also get an affordable roadside Thai massage and fully experience the nightlife of Chiang Mai. Summer of Thailand Never Ends Note: The market is open every Sunday from 17:00 to 22:00, starting from Tha Phae Gate, crossing the old city all the way to Wat Phan Tao.