Mount Kumgang, North Korea 🇰🇵
#2148
,
Nomad Score:
11%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Mount Kumgang is a scenic mountain resort located in the Kangwon Province of North Korea, famous for its natural beauty and tourism activities. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Not applicable; internet access is extremely limited and heavily restricted for foreigners. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Korean Won (KPW). Credit cards are generally not accepted and banking services are limited. Cash transactions are predominant. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Mobile SIM cards for foreigners are not available in Mount Kumgang; only pre-arranged access is possible. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Foreign currency exchanges are available at select locations, but not all services are reliable. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Limited options available within the Mount Kumgang Tourist Region, mainly focused on hotels managed by the state. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No, cash-based transactions are the norm. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Not applicable; short-term rentals are mostly limited to designated hotels. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Wonsan Hotel and Kumgangsan Hotel are among the economical choices ranging around 50-70 USD per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Mount Kumgang Tourist Zone offers the best access to attractions and facilities. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | There are no dedicated areas for digital nomads as the infrastructure is not conducive to remote work. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Not applicable; coworking spaces do not exist in Mount Kumgang. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Not applicable; cafes are limited and generally not designed for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Limited; opportunities for networking are very restricted in North Korea. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Rarely held, typically organized through government-approved tourist programs. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxis can be arranged through hotels but no ride-sharing apps are available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Not available; transportation is mainly via organized tours. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is located at the eastern coast of Wonsan, accessible by tour. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Koryo is the primary regional airline flying in and out of Pyongyang. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Koryo operates some international flights but with very limited options. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Limited; travel access is heavily controlled and depends on government permission. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Wonsan Railway Station is the closest major transport hub, approximately 60 km away. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Not applicable; public transport access is limited and not reliable for tourists. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Travel to nearby cities is possible via guided tours; public transport is not available for tourists. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | North Korean state hospitals are available, but care quality is questionable. Basic services are offered. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Not available in the area. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Limited; some hotels may offer basic fitness facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Available in hotels but limited external services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Not applicable. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Naengmyeon' (cold noodles) which is a popular dish in this region. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Limited; inquire at hotels for vegetarian meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Limited desserts; hotels may serve basic pastries and local desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Merchants may sell snacks and drinks but prices are not standardized. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Not applicable, as e-commerce is nonexistent in North Korea. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Not available. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Nightlife is very limited and typically organized through hotel events. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Not available. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not available. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Limited street food availability, primarily in designated areas. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Limited availability of international cuisine; most meals are local. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Kumgangsan Mountain, and the scenic views from the peaks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Limited; the area primarily focuses on natural attractions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Historical sites are minimal but include some temples and cultural landmarks. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Buddhist temples can be found, but access may vary. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Limited public events; special tours may occur occasionally. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Limited; primarily outdoor nature-focused attractions. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Not applicable. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Markets are highly restricted and mostly catered to local needs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Not applicable. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Not present. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Not available. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Not available. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Limited; mostly consist of government-controlled sites. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The landscape and natural beauty are the primary cultural heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Kumgangsan Natural Park offers diverse hiking trails and breathtaking views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Kumgangsan is a designated national park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Limited to marked trails in the national park. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Numerous viewpoints across the mountain paths. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Best done within the national park; requires guides. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Typically not allowed; inquire with tour guides. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Not available; delivery services are highly restricted. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Not applicable. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Not available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Not available. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Not available. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Not available. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Not available. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not available. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Not applicable; real estate purchases are restricted to citizens. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Not applicable. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Not applicable. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Not applicable. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Not applicable. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Not applicable. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Not applicable for foreign individuals. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Not applicable. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Not applicable for foreign individuals. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Not applicable. |
| 🧾 VAT | Not applicable. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Not applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Not applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Not applicable. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Not applicable in North Korea. |