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Guide
Chongjin, North Korea ๐ฐ๐ต
#2150
,
Nomad Score:
14%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Chongjin is the capital of North Hamgyong Province and the third-largest city in North Korea. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximately 300,000. |
๐ป Internet Speed | Limited connectivity; average speeds around 3-5 Mbps, often restricted by government filters. |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | Currency is the North Korean Won (KPW); foreign currency transactions are heavily regulated. |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
๐ Power | 220V, 60Hz, with Type C adapters commonly used. |
๐ถ SIM Card | Only available to locals; foreign tourists have limited access to communications. |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | Limited options; cash transactions are more common. |
๐ Accommodation | Hotels such as Yanggakdo Hotel are available for foreign visitors, but limited in choice. |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | No; cash is the primary mode of transaction. |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Not widely available; hotels are the primary option. |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Yanggakdo Hotel offers basic amenities, priced around $50 per night. |
๐๏ธ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Central area near the Yanggakdo Hotel. |
๐๏ธ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Limited options; proximity to hotels with better internet access preferred. |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | No formal coworking spaces; remote work is largely restricted. |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Limited cafes with working environments; hotel lobbies may offer better options. |
๐ผ Networking Events | Very limited, due to government restrictions on gatherings. |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | None officially recognized; potential for informal meetups depending on the local restrictions. |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | No local ride-hailing apps; taxis are available but not well-organized. |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | No rental services; walking or taxis are primary means of transport. |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | No direct beach access within the city; nearby beaches around 30 km away. |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Air Koryo serves regional destinations. |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Air Koryo also operates limited international routes. |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Road access is limited and often irregular. |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Chongjin Railway Station connects to other major cities. |
๐ Public Transport Passes | No standard passes; transport is pay-as-you-go. |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Limited options; rail and bus services available but heavily monitored. |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | Chongjin People's Hospital; quality of care may vary significantly. |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Not available; limited wellness options. |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Limited; Yanggakdo Hotel may offer basic fitness facilities. |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Few services; some hotels may offer laundry services. |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | No food delivery apps available; local dining is prevalent. |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Pyongyang cold noodles (naengmyeon), a specialty dish. |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Limited; availability of ingredients can be restrictive. |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Local cakes and sweets can be found at hotels. |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Markets such as Chongjin Market, but limited options. |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | None; internet access for online shopping is severely restricted. |
๐ Grocery Delivery | Not available; grocery shopping must be done in person. |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Few bars; the hotel bar at Yanggakdo is an option. |
๐ป Local Brewery | Not established; limited beer options available in hotels. |
๐ท Wine Bars | Not available. |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Street food is scarce; most dining is within restaurants and hotels. |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Limited; primarily traditional Korean cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Kim Il-sung Square and the Chongjin Revolutionary Museum. |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | Chongjin Revolutionary Museum showcases local history. |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Chongjin's local monuments reflect revolutionary heritage. |
๐ Religious Sites | Limited; primarily state-sanctioned sites. |
๐ Annual Events | May Day celebrations are notable. |
๐จ Cultural Districts | Limited cultural districts; most activities are state-run. |
๐ญ Theater Venues | Occasional performances at state theaters. |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Chongjin Market offers local goods but is monitored. |
๐ผ Music Scene | Limited; state-run performances only. |
๐จ Street Art | Primarily state-sponsored murals. |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Not available; cooking culture is largely traditional. |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Very few state-controlled galleries. |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | State-preserved buildings reflect the country's history. |
๐ด Local Heritage | North Korean cultural symbols prevalent throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Kumgang and surrounding countryside offer natural beauty. |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Mount Paektu National Park is notable; access is limited. |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | Very few established paths; prevailing environments are urban. |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Limited views; urban environment restricts natural vistas. |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Natural reserves near Chongjin provide limited birdwatching. |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | No designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Limited, heavily monitored; usually done through hotels. |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Very limited; mainly state-run repair facilities. |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Not available. |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | Not available; limited access to language resources. |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Libraries are state-controlled with limited resources. |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | State-run centers exist for propaganda and cultural programs. |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | Not available. |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Not available. |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ1,500 per mยฒ; very few transactions occur due to restrictions. |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ1,000 per mยฒ; limited availability. |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ1,800 per mยฒ; transactions are rare and state-controlled. |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ1,200 per mยฒ; few options available. |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โฌ2,000 per mยฒ; opportunities are limited. |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โฌ1,500 per mยฒ; extremely rare to purchase property. |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | Varies significantly; state-controlled economy. |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | Not applicable due to the lack of corporations. |
๐ฆ Tax System | Heavily state-controlled. |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | Non-applicable based on current economic conditions. |
๐งพ VAT | Not applicable in a conventional sense. |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, foreign investments are tightly controlled. |
๐ Property Tax | Very limited taxing structure. |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | Not applicable; property transactions are rare. |
๐ป Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Non-existent due to governmental restrictions on foreign residents. |