Hamhung, North Korea 🇰🇵
#2151
,
Nomad Score:
14%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Hamhung is the second-largest city in North Korea, located on the east coast, known for its industrial base and being a key transportation hub. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 800,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Variable access, generally very limited and slow; around 2 Mbps for foreigners in designated access zones. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | North Korean Won (KPW) is the official currency; international banking options are extremely limited. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not considered safe to drink; bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is supplied at 220V, 50Hz, but availability can be sporadic. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Foreigners can obtain a SIM card from Koryolink but should expect restricted internet access. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Limited options available; foreign cards are rarely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Limited to state-run hotels; Airbnb and similar services are not available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No; cash transactions are the norm and only KPW is accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Highly restricted; primarily dependent on state-run accommodations. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hamhung Hotel offers basic services, rates around €30 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Central Hamhung for proximity to landmarks. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Limited options available; staying in central hotels is recommended due to connectivity restrictions. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | None; the government tightly controls public workspaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Limited options; cafes are generally state-run and not appropriate for long work hours. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Very few, if any, due to governmental restrictions on gatherings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Rare; social interactions are typically organized by tour groups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No rideshare apps; taxis are usually state-run and cannot be summoned via an app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycles available for rent sporadically from state facilities. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Hamhung Beach, around a 15-minute drive from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Koryo is the state airline servicing limited regional areas. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | No major international carriers operate regularly. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | National Route 1 connects Hamhung to the capital, Pyongyang. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Hamhung Railway Station connects to several cities within North Korea. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transportation is cheap; typically paid in cash. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services available to Pyongyang, but limited to specific schedules. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hamhung People's Hospital, with limited capacity. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | None; fitness options are limited. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Very few; most locals rely on outdoor activities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services available at state hotels. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | No food delivery services are available; all orders are placed in-person. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Naengmyeon, a cold noodle dish popular in the region. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Very limited; primarily rice and vegetable dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Few dessert options; state-run cafes may offer pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets provide fresh produce at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Limited options; most online shopping is tightly controlled. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Not available due to state control. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Limited nightlife; some state-run bars may be present. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | No local breweries; beer is typically imported or controlled by state. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not applicable; limited alcohol options available. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Minimal street food; basic snacks may be available. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Limited; primarily state-catered North Korean dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Hamhung Revolutionary Site and the Hamhung Grand Theatre. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hamhung Museum of History, showcasing local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Ancient Choson Dynasty sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Limited; local temples are present but restricted. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | State-organized events celebrating historical milestones. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Primarily state-focused cultural venues. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | State theatres only, typically for government performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | State-run markets for basic needs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Limited to state-sponsored events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Very limited; strictly regulated. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | None available; state control limits culinary education. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | State-regulated galleries only. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | State-approved historical sites. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Strong emphasis on revolutionary culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mt. Kumgang, approximately 2 hours drive, known for scenic beauty. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Kumgangsan National Park is accessible with guided tour. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Limited paths exist, mostly within city limits. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Offers few public viewpoints, most are within state-controlled areas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Limited opportunities, mostly in rural areas outside Hamhung. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | No designated bonfire spots available. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Limited postal services; international parcel delivery is rare. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Very restricted; limited availability of parts. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers may have basic tables available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | None available; language instruction is state-centric. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Limited public libraries, access controlled. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | State-run centers, very limited in offerings. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | None; entertainment options are state-controlled. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None; state prohibits gambling. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Very few real estate transactions; price unknown, state-controlled. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Very few transactions; pricing is state-controlled. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Limited availability; pricing unknown due to state control. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Pricing unknown; highly regulated market. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | State-controlled pricing; no accurate estimates available. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Highly regulated, pricing unknown. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Corporate structure heavily regulated. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Strictly regulated; taxation unknown. |
| 🏦 Tax System | State-controlled economic policies. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Not applicable; wages controlled by the state. |
| 🧾 VAT | Not applicable; state-controlled pricing mechanism. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, foreign business operations are heavily regulated. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | State does not enforce traditional property tax. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Not applicable; transactions are strictly regulated. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Not applicable; policies don't favor digital nomadism. |