When he founded his "new town" in the late 13C, King Mengrai protected it with walls, most of which have disappeared, and a deep moat. The moat still surrounds the old city, where around 30 temples, still busy with monks and worshippers, bear witness to the glorious past of the old city of the Lan Na Thai kingdom. Many of the buildings were restored in 1996 for the 700th anniversary of the foundation of Chiang Mai. The city is best explored on bike or by tuk-tuk.