Essentials
- 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)
- 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)
Working and Networking
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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