Major city · North Korea (DPRK)
Chongjin
Skip unless you have a custom tour; if you go, allocate one half‑day for the city centre sights.
Chongjin is North Korea's third‑largest city, known for heavy industry and processed squid. It lies off the standard group itineraries, so most visitors only spend a few hours as part of a customised tour.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KPW
- Best months
- May–Sep (milder temperatures, less snow)
- avoid Dec–Feb (severe cold, average lows below -8 °C (18 °F))avoid Dec–Feb (severe cold, average lows below 18 °F (-8 °C))
- Airport
- RGO
- Nights
- 0.5
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Check your own government travel advice for North Korea b…US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special v…
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Check your own government travel advice for North Korea before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Entry is only through controlled arrangements when permitted at all; there is no independent visa route.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special validation from the State Department.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to North Korea before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chongjin110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chongjin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.North Korea (DPRK)-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for escorted visitors; main risk is untreated water and limited medical facilities.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRGO Orang Airport (40 km (25 mi) from city; Air Koryo serves Pyongyang, Haeju, Wonsan (check for extensions).).RGO Orang Airport (25 mi (40 km) from city; Air Koryo serves Pyongyang, Haeju, Wonsan (check for extensions).).
- Getting aroundTram (11 km (6.8 mi) line) and trolleybus network cover the city centre; walk where possible.Tram (6.8 mi (11 km) line) and trolleybus network cover the city centre; walk where possible.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedStandard hotel room, a night, per roomKPW 20,000
- Mid-range bedStandard hotel room, a night, per roomKPW 30,000
- High-end bedStandard hotel room, a night, per roomKPW 50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget KPW 5,000 · Mid KPW 8,000 · High KPW 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RGO Orang Airport (40 km (25 mi) from city; Air Koryo serves Pyongyang, Haeju, Wonsan (check for extensions).)RGO Orang Airport (25 mi (40 km) from city; Air Koryo serves Pyongyang, Haeju, Wonsan (check for extensions).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (44°F)44°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Jul (127 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chongjin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
12 rd
Feb
2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Mar
6°C (44°F)44°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
15 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (38°F)38°F (3°C)
30 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (47°F)47°F (8°C)
65 rd
Jun
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
74 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
127 rd
Aug
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
126 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
80 rd
Oct
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
34 rd
Nov
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
29 rd
Dec
2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C)
−6°C (20°F)20°F (−6°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tram (11 km line) and trolleybus network cover the city centre; walk where possible.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pyongyang
goDoor to door: ≈6 h
Train from Chongjin to Pyongyang, about 6 h
Standard group tours often start in Pyongyang; arrange a custom itinerary.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chonmasan Hotel
Foreign‑tourist‑approved hotel; basic rooms.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- check
Trip budget
| Standard hotel room1 × 1 night × KPW 20,000 | KPW 20,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × KPW 5,000 | KPW 5,000 |
| Bottled water (1 L)1 × KPW 2,000 · essential | KPW 2,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | KPW 2,700 |
| Trip total≈ KPW 29,700 per person per day, bed included | KPW 29,700 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Local tap water is untreated – buy bottled water.
- City is not on standard group tours; arrange a customised itinerary in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChongjinChongjin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chongjin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (milder temperatures, less snow) · avoid Dec–Feb (severe cold, average lows below -8 °C)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chongjin
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