The Ada House journal

Local culture

Local culture, hidden corners and practical tips — from the people who actually live here.

Lanna-style illustration of highland ethnic communities of northern Thailand with their handwoven textiles and silver, rendered with dignity

Local culture · June 24, 2026

The hill tribes of northern Thailand: who they are, and how to visit with respect

The highlands around Chiang Mai are home to peoples with their own languages, dress and histories. They are neighbours, not attractions.

Lanna-style illustration of Chiang Mai festivals — floating lanterns, water splashing and flower floats

Local culture · June 24, 2026

A year of Chiang Mai festivals: when to visit for the best ones

Chiang Mai throws some of Thailand's best festivals. Time your visit right and you'll see the city at its most alive.

Lanna-style illustration of a Sak Yant master applying a sacred geometric tattoo with a long bamboo rod in a quiet temple setting with incense and a shrine

Local culture · June 21, 2026

Sak Yant: Thailand's sacred tattoos, with respect

A Sak Yant is a blessing in ink — protection, luck and a moral commitment, not a holiday souvenir. Here's how to understand and approach the tradition with respect.

Lanna-style illustration of an old walled Chiang Mai with a great golden chedi, ancient brick walls and a moat, tiered temple roofs and misty mountains

Local culture · June 20, 2026

A short history of Lanna, the kingdom behind Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai was the capital of its own kingdom long before it was Thai. A little Lanna history changes how you see the moat, the temples and the food.

Lanna-style illustration of a foreign visitor and a local Thai person smiling over tea, one offering a respectful wai gesture, with temple and mountains behind

Local culture · June 18, 2026

Learn a little Thai: phrases that go a long way

You don't need fluent Thai — just a handful of phrases to transform how you're welcomed. Here's the starter kit, food words first, plus where to learn more.

Lanna-style illustration of the Sunday Walking Street night market in Chiang Mai's old city, lantern-lit stalls and street food by Tha Phae Gate

Local culture · June 16, 2026

The Sunday Walking Street: Chiang Mai's best market

Every Sunday evening the old city closes to traffic and fills with stalls, lanterns and street food. It's our favourite way to spend a Sunday night.

Lanna-style illustration of the Yi Peng lantern festival in Chiang Mai at night, glowing sky lanterns rising over a temple with floating krathong on the river

Local culture · June 13, 2026

Yi Peng: the Chiang Mai lantern festival

Once a year the sky over Chiang Mai fills with golden lanterns. If you can time your stay for it, do — here's what the lantern festival actually is.

Lanna-style illustration of Chiang Mai's old city temples, a weathered brick chedi beside a gilded teak viharn among frangipani trees

Local culture · June 9, 2026

A walking tour of Chiang Mai's old city temples

The old city packs centuries of Lanna temples into a square you can stroll in a morning. Here's the loop we send guests on.

Lanna-style illustration of hands pressed together in a wai greeting holding a lotus, beside shoes removed at a temple threshold

Local culture · May 30, 2026

Thai etiquette: a friendly cheat sheet for visitors

Thais are warm and forgiving with visitors who try. A handful of small customs will make your whole stay smoother — here's the cheat sheet.

Lanna-style illustration of Songkran in Chiang Mai, joyful water-splashing by the old city moat and Tha Phae Gate in bright sunshine

Local culture · May 29, 2026

Songkran in Chiang Mai: the world's best water fight

For a few days in April, Chiang Mai becomes the happiest, wettest place on earth. Songkran is a city-wide water fight wrapped around a sacred new year.

Lanna-style illustration of a serene Chiang Mai forest temple meditation sala with a golden Buddha, cushions, a candle and a lotus in soft morning light

Local culture · May 28, 2026

Meditation & Monk Chat: Chiang Mai's quiet side

Chiang Mai is one of the gentlest places in the world to be curious about Buddhism. You can chat with a monk, or sit a quiet retreat — both are open to you.

Lanna-style illustration of a Muay Thai fight night in Chiang Mai, two fighters in a lit ring with a traditional band playing at the side

Local culture · May 27, 2026

Muay Thai in Chiang Mai: watch a fight or train

The reedy music, the ritual dance, the crack of a shin on pads — Muay Thai is everywhere here. You can watch it most nights, or learn it yourself.