The Ada House journal

Stories from Chiang Mai

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

Lanna-style illustration of Doi Inthanon, the twin royal pagodas on a misty mountain ridge with flower gardens and cloud-wrapped peaks

Things to do · June 10, 2026

Doi Inthanon: a day on the roof of Thailand

Thailand's highest mountain is a day trip from the house — twin pagodas, waterfalls, cloud forest and proper cool air. Bring a jacket; here's the plan.

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 a Chiang Mai old-city street with a red songthaew shared truck, parked scooters and a tuk-tuk by an old brick gate

Practical tips · June 8, 2026

Getting around Chiang Mai: songthaews, Grab & scooters

Chiang Mai is small, cheap and easy to get around. Here's the honest rundown of every option — and the one safety talk worth reading.

Lanna-style illustration of Bua Tong sticky waterfall near Chiang Mai, clear water over pale limestone terraces in deep green jungle

Things to do · June 7, 2026

Chiang Mai's waterfalls: the sticky one and more

When the afternoon heat gets much, the answer is a waterfall. Several are under an hour away — and one of them you can actually climb.

Lanna-style illustration of a serene Thai massage room with a floor mattress, triangle cushions, a herbal compress and bowls of herbs and oils

Health & wellness · June 6, 2026

Thai massage in Chiang Mai: a long-stay habit

A good hour-long massage here costs about what a coffee does back home. For a long stay, it's the easiest healthy habit you'll ever build.

Lanna-style illustration of a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai with woks over flames, fresh market vegetables, herbs and a mortar and pestle

Food & coffee · June 5, 2026

Take a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai

If you do one 'touristy' thing here, make it this. You'll spend a morning cooking the food you came for — and take the recipes home.

Lanna-style illustration of a Chiang Mai night food market at dusk, glowing stalls and sizzling grills under string lights and lanterns

Food & coffee · June 4, 2026

Chiang Mai's night markets: where to eat after dark

Dinner in Chiang Mai means picking a night market and grazing. Beyond the famous walking streets, here are the ones locals actually eat at.

Lanna-style illustration of a colourful Northern Thai vegan spread — tofu curries, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruit and sticky rice on a teak table

Food & coffee · June 3, 2026

Eating vegan & vegetarian in Chiang Mai

Plant-based? You've come to the right city. Chiang Mai makes eating vegan or vegetarian genuinely easy — here's how to navigate it like a local.

Lanna-style illustration of a calm, friendly lantern-lit evening street in Chiang Mai's old city with people strolling

Practical tips · June 2, 2026

Is Chiang Mai safe? An honest answer

The short answer: yes, very — including for solo and female travellers. The honest long answer is mostly about traffic, not crime. Here's the real picture.

Lanna-style illustrated map of Chiang Mai showing the moated old city, the Nimman district, the Ping River and Doi Suthep mountain

Practical tips · June 1, 2026

Where to stay in Chiang Mai: a neighbourhood guide

Choosing where to base yourself shapes your whole stay. Here's an honest, quick tour of Chiang Mai's neighbourhoods and who each one suits.

Lanna-style illustration of a Chiang Mai everyday-life flat lay — coffee, street food, a market basket, a scooter key and a few Thai baht notes on a teak table

Move here · May 31, 2026

What a month in Chiang Mai really costs

Chiang Mai is still a bargain for long stays — but how much of one? Here's an honest monthly budget, in three tiers, and where the money sneaks off to.

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.