The Ada House journal

Things to do

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

A warm Lanna-style illustration of people ducking under teak shophouse awnings during a golden afternoon downpour in Chiang Mai, a glowing mall and steamy café behind them, paper umbrellas bobbing along a rain-shined lane

Things to do · July 12, 2026

What to do in Chiang Mai when it rains

Rainy-season rain here comes in short afternoon bursts, not all-day washouts. Here's how we plan around the rhythm — and the best of indoor Chiang Mai when the sky opens.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a lone runner on a misty lakeside path at first light, golden temple rooftops and the forested ridge of Doi Suthep rising behind

Things to do · July 5, 2026

Running in Chiang Mai: where, when and how to beat the heat

Chiang Mai rewards runners who learn its rhythm: dawn starts, lake loops and a mountain climb most cities would envy. Here's where we run, when we run, and how we handle the heat, the smoke and the dogs.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of climbers on a golden limestone crag above a green valley, one on the rope mid-climb and a belayer watching from below

Things to do · July 5, 2026

Rock climbing in Chiang Mai: limestone, caves and first climbs

Forty minutes east of the city, Crazy Horse Buttress offers some of Thailand's friendliest limestone climbing. Here's how to plan a first day on real rock — plus the gyms in town and the season to aim for.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of friends playing pickleball and badminton on sunlit courts framed by teak pavilions, tropical plants and mountain views

Things to do · July 5, 2026

Racquet sports in Chiang Mai: pickleball, tennis and badminton

Chiang Mai's courts cost pocket money and the players are friendly. Our guide to the pickleball boom, stadium tennis, badminton halls and where squash is hiding.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a circular seasonal wheel of Chiang Mai moments — floating lanterns, monsoon rain, paper umbrellas in bloom and misty mountain mornings

Things to do · July 5, 2026

A year in Chiang Mai, month by month

Chiang Mai is not one city but twelve. Our month-by-month almanac covers how each season feels, what blooms, which festival defines it, and what we'd do without fail.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of two grapplers rolling on soft mats in an open-sided gym, a folded gi and flip-flops at the edge of the mat and Doi Suthep rising in the distance

Things to do · July 5, 2026

BJJ and martial arts in Chiang Mai beyond Muay Thai

Muay Thai gets the headlines, but Chiang Mai quietly has one of South East Asia's most liveable grappling scenes. Here's how to find the mats, what it costs and what to bring.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a hillside viewpoint at golden hour, with a temple terrace in the foreground and Chiang Mai's valley glowing softly beneath layered blue mountains

Things to do · July 4, 2026

The best viewpoints and sunset spots around Chiang Mai

From Doi Suthep's east-facing terrace to bamboo huts at the edge of Huay Tung Tao, here's where — and when — to catch Chiang Mai at its golden best.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a turquoise swimming pool shaded by palms and frangipani, a swimmer gliding through the water with misty mountains beyond

Things to do · July 4, 2026

Swimming pools in Chiang Mai: where to actually swim

Chiang Mai has no beach, but it has plenty of water. Here's how day passes work, where to swim proper laps, and the local pool rules worth knowing.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a raft crew in helmets and life jackets paddling through frothing rapids on a jungle river, with steep forested mountains rising behind

Things to do · July 4, 2026

Whitewater rafting and kayaking around Chiang Mai

The Mae Taeng delivers proper grade III–IV whitewater within two hours of the city, while the Mae Wang and Mae Ngat offer far gentler ways to get wet. Here is how a rafting day actually works, and how to pick an operator you can trust.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a golfer and caddie walking a lush fairway at sunrise, misty northern Thai mountains and a temple roofline in the distance

Things to do · July 4, 2026

Golf in Chiang Mai: serious courses at not-so-serious prices

Mountain-ringed courses, a caddie by your side and green fees that would barely cover a trolley back home. Here's how golf works in Chiang Mai.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of a sunny water park near Chiang Mai — an inflatable floating obstacle course on a turquoise quarry lake, curving water slides and palm trees against green misty hills, with children splashing and floating.

Things to do · July 3, 2026

Water parks & adventure parks in and around Chiang Mai

Floating ninja-warrior courses on a quarry lake, wave pools and spiralling slides, alpine coasters through the jungle — here's how families and thrill-seekers cool off and let loose near Chiang Mai.

A warm Lanna-style illustration of people ziplining through a lush green jungle canopy, with timber platforms and rope sky-bridges strung between the trees in the misty hills near Chiang Mai.

Things to do · June 29, 2026

Ziplining in Chiang Mai: a flight through the jungle canopy

Steel cables strung between treetop platforms, sky-bridges over the gorge, the odd abseil to the forest floor. Here's how to fly through the canopy near Chiang Mai — safely.