The ancient city wall, while being a major obstacle for traffic, is an amazing example of medieval fortifications around a city. The city of Chiang Mai was founded by King Mangrai in 1296. It’s town plan was square in shape (1,550 metres wide and 1600 metres long), enclosed by an earthen embankment. The city walls of Chiang Mai were rebuilt twice during the times of Phra Muang Kaew in 1519 and King Kawila in 1796. The walls had five gates: Tha Phae Gate on the east side (originally named Chiang Chueak Gate, but later over confusion of names called Tha Phae which was the name of the gate in the outer wall near the Ping River’s pier, Chiang Mai Gate and Suan Prung Gate on the south side, Suan Dok Gate on the west side and Chang Phuak Gate on the north side. The bastions at the four corners are all called ‘jaeng’, (a local term for corner).

Source: Site visit