Essentials
- City
- Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
- Population
- 668,000
- Internet Speed
- Restricted/Extranet: 10 Mbps. Public internet is generally unavailable; visitors use the Koryolink 3G network (restricted access).
- Currency & Banking
- North Korean Won (KPW). 1 USD ≈ 900 KPW (Official), 1 USD ≈ 8,000+ KPW (Market). Use EUR, CNY, or USD cash.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Bottled water (Kangseo Mineral Water) is essential. Approx. 450 KPW per bottle.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C. Frequent power outages; voltage stabilizers are required.
- SIM Card
- Koryolink. Foreigner SIMs cost approx. €200 for the card; data is approx. €0.20 per MB.
- Banking for Expats
- Central Bank of DPRK. No international ATMs or credit card processing (Visa/Mastercard do not work).
- Accommodation
- State-assigned hotels only. Foreigners cannot rent private apartments.
- Cashless Friendly
- No. Cash (EUR/CNY/USD) is mandatory for all transactions.
- Short Term Rentals
- Non-existent. Standard tourism stays are pre-booked through state agencies.
- Budget Accommodation
- Chongjin Hotel (approx. $50/night for basic rooms).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Pohang Square area (central district) for proximity to the few permitted visitor sites.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Not applicable; relocation is not permitted. Only the Seaman’s Club or Chonmasan Hotel allow foreign stays.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None. The business center at the Chonmasan Hotel is the only managed workspace.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Seaman’s Club Coffee Shop. Rare location with reliable seating and quiet atmosphere.
- Networking Events
- None. Interaction with locals is strictly regulated; networking is limited to other tour members.
- Social Events for Expats
- Occasional gatherings at the Seaman’s Club for visiting sailors and NGO staff.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. State-run taxis available at hotels. Negotiate in CNY or USD (approx. $5 per ride).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not available for foreigners. Walking is restricted to guided paths.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Yompungho Beach. Located south of the city; requires a guided permit to visit.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Koryo (Flights to Pyongyang Sunan International).
- Top International Airline
- Air Koryo (Flight JS151/152 to Beijing or Vladivostok via Pyongyang).
- Highway Access
- Pyongyang-Chongjin Highway (unpaved in many sections; travel is slow).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Chongjin Station (Service to Pyongyang and Rason; restricted to locals/government).
- Public Transport Passes
- Not available for foreigners. Trams and trolleybuses are for citizens only.
- Regional Travel
- Strictly via KITC (Korea International Travel Company) chartered vans.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Chongjin Provincial Hospital. Very basic facilities; evacuation to Beijing is recommended for serious issues.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- None. Hotel massage rooms (Chonmasan Hotel) are the only wellness options.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small fitness room located in the Chonmasan Hotel (Free for guests).
- Laundry Services
- Hotel laundry services at Chonmasan or Chongjin Hotel (approx. $2 per item).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chongjin Cold Noodles (Naengmyeon) and fresh seafood from the East Sea.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited. Most meals center on rice, kimchi, and tofu (Dububap).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Foreign Trade Shop bakery section (Biscuits and sweet bread).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Chongjin Foreign Trade Shop. Sells imported snacks and local staples in foreign currency.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None. No international shipping or local online retail.
- Grocery Delivery
- None available.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Seaman’s Club bar. Sells Taedonggang Beer for approx. $2.
- Local Brewery
- Chongjin Brewery (Local provincial brand, mostly for local distribution).
- Wine Bars
- None. Some imported wines available at the Chonmasan Hotel bar.
- Street Food Stalls
- Not accessible to foreigners; forbidden to purchase from local street vendors.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Limited Chinese options available at the Seaman’s Club.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Pohang Square Bronze Statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
- Museums & Art Venues
- North Hamgyong Province Revolutionary History Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Chongjin Revolutionary Site (memorializing Kim Jong Suk).
- Religious Sites
- None. The region has no active public places of worship.
- Annual Events
- Kimilsungia/Kimjongilia Flower Festivals (February/April).
- Cultural Districts
- None designated for public exploration.
- Theater Venues
- North Hamgyong Provincial Art Theater (Performance tickets approx. $15).
- Local Markets
- Sunam Market (Largest in the region, but strictly off-limits to foreigners).
- Music Scene
- State-sponsored orchestral performances and revolutionary choirs.
- Street Art
- Propaganda murals located on major intersections and buildings.
- Cooking Classes
- Not available.
- Art Galleries
- The E-Library and Art Gallery near the city center (Local social realist art).
- Historic Buildings
- The Chonmasan Hotel (Soviet-era architecture).
- Local Heritage
- Chongjin is known as the 'City of Iron' due to its industrial heritage and steel works.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Chilbo (Approx. 3 hours away; famous for its unique rock formations).
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Chilbo Special Reserve (Controlled access via guide).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Restricted. Walking is only permitted in immediate vicinity of the hotel with a guide.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Chonmasan Viewpoint (Views over the harbor and steel works).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Coastal cliffs along the East Sea (Sea gulls and cormorants).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited everywhere in the city.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DPRK Post. Unreliable for international delivery; no tracking.
- Tech Repair Services
- None available for foreigners.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tables available in the basement of the Chonmasan Hotel.
- Language Classes
- None available for foreigners.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Chongjin Grand People's Study House (Limited access for visitors).
- Community Centers
- None accessible.
- Gaming Lounges
- None.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in Chongjin (Only in Rason or Pyongyang).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A. Foreigners cannot purchase property. Locals use a state-assigned system.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A. Real estate market is not public or accessible to non-citizens.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A. State assignment system.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A. State assignment system.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A. High-ranking officials' housing only.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A. State assignment system.
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard for foreign investment in special zones like Rason; rare in Chongjin).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Not applicable to individuals.
- Tax System
- Tax-free system for citizens; specific levies on foreign joint ventures.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- N/A (Citizens do not pay personal income tax officially).
- VAT
- 15% on certain luxury goods for foreigners.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- None for individuals; users pay 'utility fees'.
- Property Transaction Tax
- None. No legal private market.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No. Visas do not allow remote work or long-term residence.