Chongjin, North Korea 🇰🇵
#2150
,
Nomad Score:
12%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Chongjin is the capital of North Hamgyong Province and the third-largest city in North Korea. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 300,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Limited connectivity; average speeds around 3-5 Mbps, often restricted by government filters. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is the North Korean Won (KPW); foreign currency transactions are heavily regulated. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, with Type C adapters commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Only available to locals; foreign tourists have limited access to communications. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Limited options; cash transactions are more common. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Hotels such as Yanggakdo Hotel are available for foreign visitors, but limited in choice. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No; cash is the primary mode of transaction. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Not widely available; hotels are the primary option. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Yanggakdo Hotel offers basic amenities, priced around $50 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Central area near the Yanggakdo Hotel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Limited options; proximity to hotels with better internet access preferred. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | No formal coworking spaces; remote work is largely restricted. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Limited cafes with working environments; hotel lobbies may offer better options. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Very limited, due to government restrictions on gatherings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | None officially recognized; potential for informal meetups depending on the local restrictions. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No local ride-hailing apps; taxis are available but not well-organized. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | No rental services; walking or taxis are primary means of transport. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No direct beach access within the city; nearby beaches around 30 km away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Koryo serves regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Koryo also operates limited international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Road access is limited and often irregular. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Chongjin Railway Station connects to other major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No standard passes; transport is pay-as-you-go. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Limited options; rail and bus services available but heavily monitored. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Chongjin People's Hospital; quality of care may vary significantly. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Not available; limited wellness options. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Limited; Yanggakdo Hotel may offer basic fitness facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Few services; some hotels may offer laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | No food delivery apps available; local dining is prevalent. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Pyongyang cold noodles (naengmyeon), a specialty dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Limited; availability of ingredients can be restrictive. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Local cakes and sweets can be found at hotels. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markets such as Chongjin Market, but limited options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | None; internet access for online shopping is severely restricted. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Not available; grocery shopping must be done in person. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Few bars; the hotel bar at Yanggakdo is an option. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Not established; limited beer options available in hotels. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not available. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food is scarce; most dining is within restaurants and hotels. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Limited; primarily traditional Korean cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Kim Il-sung Square and the Chongjin Revolutionary Museum. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Chongjin Revolutionary Museum showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Chongjin's local monuments reflect revolutionary heritage. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Limited; primarily state-sanctioned sites. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | May Day celebrations are notable. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Limited cultural districts; most activities are state-run. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Occasional performances at state theaters. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Chongjin Market offers local goods but is monitored. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Limited; state-run performances only. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Primarily state-sponsored murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Not available; cooking culture is largely traditional. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Very few state-controlled galleries. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | State-preserved buildings reflect the country's history. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | North Korean cultural symbols prevalent throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Kumgang and surrounding countryside offer natural beauty. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mount Paektu National Park is notable; access is limited. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Very few established paths; prevailing environments are urban. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Limited views; urban environment restricts natural vistas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Natural reserves near Chongjin provide limited birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | No designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Limited, heavily monitored; usually done through hotels. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Very limited; mainly state-run repair facilities. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Not available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Not available; limited access to language resources. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Libraries are state-controlled with limited resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | State-run centers exist for propaganda and cultural programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Not available. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not available. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,500 per m²; very few transactions occur due to restrictions. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,000 per m²; limited availability. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,800 per m²; transactions are rare and state-controlled. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,200 per m²; few options available. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,000 per m²; opportunities are limited. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,500 per m²; extremely rare to purchase property. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Varies significantly; state-controlled economy. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Not applicable due to the lack of corporations. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Heavily state-controlled. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Non-applicable based on current economic conditions. |
| 🧾 VAT | Not applicable in a conventional sense. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, foreign investments are tightly controlled. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Very limited taxing structure. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Not applicable; property transactions are rare. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Non-existent due to governmental restrictions on foreign residents. |