🇰🇵 Rason,
North Korea
#2149
Nomad Score
3.2
Coords
42.2497316, 130.3113296
Likes
👍 0 👎 0
Actions
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Rajin Central District (near the Square) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Imperial Hotel, Pipahave (only reliable power and internet connection) |
| 🏙️ City | Rason, Special Economic Zone, North Korea |
| 👥 Population | 205,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Restricted; 2 Mbps available for foreigners via dedicated line at Imperial Hotel |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 900 KPW (Official), but CNY/USD/EUR used for trade. Golden Triangle Bank for exchanges. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water at Rason Department Store (4 CNY) |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F; frequent outages common outside luxury hotels |
| 📶 SIM Card | Koryolink; SIM Approx. $150 USD, data packages are extremely expensive ($0.15/MB) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Golden Triangle Bank; No international card support (Visa/Mastercard do not work) |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Government-approved hotels only; Imperial Hotel & Casino is the primary choice |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No; strictly cash basis (Chinese Yuan CNY is the preferred currency) |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Non-existent for foreigners; mandatory hotel stays only |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Rajin Hotel ($40 - $60 USD per night) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | None; Business Center at Imperial Hotel is the only managed workspace ($10/hr) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Foreigner’s Club Cafe (Limited signal, quiet environment) |
| 💼 Networking Events | Rason International Trade Fair (Annual in August) |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Informal gatherings at the Czech Brewery Rason |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No apps; Hail yellow/green state taxis in Rajin center (Start at $2 USD) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Not available for foreigners; walking or private guide vehicles only |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Chujin Beach (Golden Sands area) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Koryo (flights to Vladivostok or Pyongyang) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | None; access via train from Tumangang/Khasan or road from Wonjong/Hunchun |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | AH32 connecting Rason to the Chinese border at Wonjong-ri |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Rajin Station (International connection to Russia) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None; tourists are not permitted on local public buses |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Private van via Rason Tourist Agency |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Rason City People's Hospital (Basic equipment; evacuation to China recommended for serious issues) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Steam bath and sauna at the Imperial Hotel |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Rajin Indoor Stadium Fitness Room |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Hotel laundry services (Approx. $2 per item) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | None available |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Rason King Crab (Fresh from the Rajin Market) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Namdaemun Restaurant; tofu and pickled vegetable dishes available |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Rajin Bakery near the central square |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Rajin Market (Largest market in NK where foreigners are allowed) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | None available |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | None available |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Imperial Hotel Casino Bar |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Czech Joint-Venture Brewery (Rajin) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | None; hotel bars serve imported Chinese wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Tofu-bap (Rice in fried tofu) available at the Rajin Market |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Russian-style dumplings at the Rajin-Vladivostok Restaurant |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Statues of the Leaders at Namsan Hill |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Revolutionary Museum of Comrade Kim Il Sung |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Pipado (Pipa Island) coastal area |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | None active; Sahyangsan Mountains offer scenic retreats |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Kimilsungia Flower Festival (February) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Rajin Port Area |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Rason Children’s Palace (Performances) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Rajin Market (Entry fee approx. 5 CNY for foreigners) |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Moranbong Band covers at hotel restaurants |
| 🎨 Street Art | Propaganda murals throughout Rajin Central Square |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal kimchi workshops at Rajin Hotel upon request |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Rason Art Gallery (Socialist Realism paintings) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Rajin Port Administration Building |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Choson-style traditional houses in peripheral villages |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Sahyang |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Chilbosan (accessible via day trip south) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Pipa Island coastal walkway |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mount Sahyang Observation Deck |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Manpo Lake |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | None permitted without government supervision |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL (available through some business centers in SEZ) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | None available for Western electronics; bring spares |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Rajin Seamen’s Club |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Private Korean tutoring through Rason Foreign Language School |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Rason City Library (Limited foreign access) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Rason Cultural Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Imperial Hotel Arcade |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Emperor Hotel & Casino (Chinese-owned) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Foreigners cannot own property; usage rights for businesses approx $500/sqm |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | N/A - Property ownership prohibited |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | N/A |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | N/A |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | N/A |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | N/A |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 14% for SEZ enterprises; 10% for high-tech ventures |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for SEZ-registered companies |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial (SEZ specific laws apply) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 20% for foreign individuals working in SEZ |
| 🧾 VAT | None; turnover tax of 1-5% applies instead |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | None |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Land use fees apply: $1 - $10 per sqm annually |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | N/A |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No; visas require work sponsorship or pre-booked tour |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING RASON