Popular and Beautiful Instantgram Spots in Chiang Mia - Mae Kha Canal and the City Wall

We visited Thailand recently and spent about two weeks in Chinag Mia. On our daily walking excursions in and around the city, we came across this waterway many times at various parts of the city and enjoyed the nice scenery along the way. I learned that this waterway is called the Mae Kha Canal which is a prominent waterway and a characteristic landmark of Chaing Mia's old city.

 For centuries, the Mae Kha was a crucial source of water for agriculture, daily life and transportation for communities near by. However, for decades, the Mae Kha became notoriously polluted and it was labelled a ' black water canal' due to untreated sewage, industrial runoff, and solid waste. For many years, it was a smelly, neglected problem hidden behind houses and shops. Fortunately, led by local communities, NGOS, and artisits, there has been massive effort to clean up the water and reclaim the public space.

Remarkably, what we saw now the waterway has been transformed into a beautiful landmark in Chiang Mia and it was a pleasure walking by the water's edge as we took our stroll there a number of times while visiting the city.

Another popular instagram spot we visited was the City Walls - While only sections of the original brick and laterite walls remain, the most impressive restored sections are at the five city gates. The purpose of the wall was to protect the city's most important institutions - the royal palace ( no longer exist, key temples, governmemnt buildings and the populace. However, over the centuries, the walls suffered damages from wars, earthquakes and neglect.

As the city expanded beyond its old boundaries, the walls were dismantled in many places for building materials. However, in the late 20th century, recognizing their immense historical and cultural value, the government began restoration projects. We were at the most famous gate - Tha Phae Gate. It is a popular gathering spot for locals celebrating New Year and other festivals, often with stages and celebrations set up in the square.

The square is a fascinating people watching spot where you will see toursits, Buddist monks making their alms rounds, skateboarders, fitness groups doing evening Zumba, and street food vendors all sharing the smae space.

Arriving at the front of the Wall Gate, we saw a lot of birds flying around with some people trying to lure them to their hands with feeds. Luckily there were vendors selling feeds to those who wanted them for the birds. I bought a bag and we started feeding the birds as well. The birds kept coming to us eating off our hands. It was fun watching them flying around for our food!

  RT, Chiang Mia, Thailand

  082025