Tapae Gate

The reconstructed eastern gate to the old city is one of five original gates through the walls of the old city. The Tapae Gate, as it's called now, is the only one of the gates to be fully rebuilt. The restoration took place in the 1980s, based on old photographs and drawings, and there's still quite a bit of controversy about the authenticity of the design. The only truly original parts of the old walls that remain are the ramparts at the four corners. Most of the rest of the wall was dismantled during World War II.

The large brick-paved plaza in front of the gate is often used for shows or markets during festivals. If you're feeling the need for a caffeine reinforcement, there are two well known coffee shops in the gate area. Outside the gate, right on the corner where Tapae Road meets the outer ring road, is a large branch of that big American chain. Just inside the gate is a branch of a Thai chain, Black Canyon, where you can get some good Thai food to go with your coffee.