Pyongyang Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Sidewalks along Mirae Scientists Street and the Taedong River promenade. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Top of the Juche Tower (accessible by elevator for $5 USD). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Taedong River banks during migratory seasons. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Prohibited in the city; restricted to specific camping zones in Mt. Myohyang. |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Mt. Ryongak (The 'Dragon Mount') - hiking spots 30 mins from the center. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Mt. Myohyang (approx. 2 hours north), home to the International Friendship Exhibition. |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
DHL (located at Pyongyang International Communications Centre, costs are high). |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Potonggang Technology Center (repair for localized phones/tablets). |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Pyongyang Indoor Stadium or wellness centers in major hotels. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies (long-term academic programs only). |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Grand People's Study House (Central Library on Kim Il Sung Square). |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Sci-Tech Complex (located on Ssuk Islet). |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Arcades at the Munsu Water Park and the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Pyongyang Casino (located in the basement of the Yanggakdo Hotel; for foreigners only). |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Not applicable; property cannot be purchased by foreigners. State-allocated housing only. |
| 🏢 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 |
25% for foreign-invested enterprises (standard), 14% in Special Economic Zones. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
Typically 10-15% depending on specific investment treaties. |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Officially 'Tax-free' for citizens; foreign entities are taxed on DPRK-sourced income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
20% (for foreign residents/expats earning over 10,000 EUR/month). |
| 🧾 VAT |
None (Turnover tax system applies to businesses instead). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
None (Land use fees apply to foreign businesses). |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Not applicable to individuals. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
No; there is no legal framework or visa for independent digital nomads. |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Pyongyang, Pyongyang Capital City, North Korea (DPRK) |
| 👥 Population |
3,100,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Highly restricted. Kwangmyong (Intranet) is standard. International roaming 3G/4G available for foreigners via Koryolink at approx. $200 USD for 2GB. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Official: North Korean Won (KPW). Real-world use: 1 USD ≈ 8,900 KPW (market rate), 1 USD ≈ 100 KPW (official). EUR, USD, and CNY are preferred cash currencies. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Not drinkable; bottled water (e.g., Kangseo Mineral Water) is mandatory, costs approx. $0.50 per 500ml. |
| 🔌 Power |
220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets. Frequent brownouts; power banks and surge protectors are essential. |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Koryolink (Foreigner-only SIM). Activation cost approx. $200-$300 USD; data is extremely expensive. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Foreign Cards (Visa/MC) NOT accepted. Cash only (USD/EUR/CNY). Trade Bank of the DPRK provides currency exchange. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Foreigners MUST stay in designated hotels. Long-term stays typically managed via diplomatic compounds or the Yanggakdo International Hotel. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
No; strictly cash-based for foreigners. Locals use Narae or Koryo cards, but foreigners rely on hard currency. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Non-existent. Airbnb and similar platforms are banned. All stays must be booked through state-sanctioned travel agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Haebangsan Hotel (approx. $50/night), though limited to specific visa types. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Central District (Chung-guyok) near Kim Il Sung Square or the Taedong River. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Munsu-dong (Diplomatic District) - the only area with consistent services and international contact. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
None. Business centers in Koryo Hotel or Yanggakdo Hotel are the only viable workspaces with desks and international phone lines. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Kumrung Coffee Shop; offers a rare quiet environment, though no public Wi-Fi is available. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Very limited; primarily occurring within the Pyongyang Business School or diplomatic functions at the German Embassy club. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Saturday night gatherings at the 'Random Access Club' (RAC) inside the UN/NGO compound in Munsu-dong. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps. State-run taxis (green/yellow or blue/white) are available. Flag fall is approx. $2 USD, then $0.50 per km. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Bicycle rental available at the Ryugyong Hotel area for approx. $1-2 USD per hour for foreigners. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Nampo (Wawon Island), approx. 45-60 mins drive from Pyongyang. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Air Koryo (Direct flights to Beijing, Vladivostok, and Shenyang). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Air China (Beijing-Pyongyang route). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Reunification Highway (Pyongyang-Sariwon-Kaeseong) and the Youth Hero Motorway (Pyongyang-Nampo). |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Pyongyang Railway Station (Inter-city and international trains to Beijing/Dandong). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Pyongyang Metro. Single ride is 5 KPW (virtually free). Foreigners usually restricted to specific tour-guided transit. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Requires state-issued travel permits. Travel to Kaesong or Wonsan is possible only with official guides. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Pyongyang Friendship Hospital (specifically for foreigners), Munsu-dong. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Ryugyong Health Complex; premium facility offering saunas and fitness, approx. $10 per visit. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
The gym at the Koryo Hotel; international standard equipment, approx. $5 per session for guests. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Hotel-based services only. Koryo Hotel Laundry (approx. $1-3 per item). |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Not available. Some restaurants offer telephone-based delivery via taxi. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Pyongyang Naengmyeon (Buckwheat Cold Noodles) at Okryu-gwan Restaurant. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Difficult. Bibimbap (without meat) is the best option. Pyolmuri Cafe offers some western-style vegetable salads. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Pyongyang Italian Pizza Restaurant (offers gelato/sweets) or the Mirae Scientist Street bakeries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Kwangbok Area Shopping Center (Uses local exchange rate, very affordable for groceries). |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Abasara (Local intranet-based shopping), not accessible to most foreigners. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Not available; in-person shopping at Rakwon Department Store is the standard for expats. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Hotel bars (Koryo Hotel revolving bar) or the Taedonggang Microbrewery Pub No. 3. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Taedonggang Brewing Company (State-owned, 7 varieties of beer). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
None; wine is served in high-end hotel restaurants like the Ryugyong Grill. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Stalls near Metro stations selling Kwajabap (fried tofu rice) and sweet potato cakes for approx. $0.20. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Pyongyang Italian Pizza Restaurant (Kwangbok Street); Chicken San (Fried Chicken) on Mirae Street. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Juche Tower, Mansudae Grand Monument, Arch of Triumph. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Victoruous Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Mansudae Art Studio. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Mangyongdae Native House, Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Changchung Cathedral (Catholic), Bongsu Church (Protestant). |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
The Mass Games (Arirang), Day of the Sun (April 15th). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Moranbong Park (Sunday picnics and local dancing). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Mansudae Art Theatre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Tongam Market (Foreigners are generally restricted from 'Jangmadang' or unofficial markets). |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Moranbong Band performances (state-led pop music). |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Propaganda murals and mosaics located at every major intersection and Metro station. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Available via request at the Pyongyang Culinary School for tour groups. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Pyongyang Art Gallery in Kim Il Sung Square. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The Ryugyong Hotel (105-story pyramid). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Chollima Statue (representing the 'thousand-li horse' speed of development). |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING PYONGYANG