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Back to Rason

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Voykit pocket guide · North Korea (DPRK)

Rason

Spend 1–2 days in Rason to see the Imperial Hotel & Casino, Sonbong Port Monument and Pipha Island; longer only for business or border trips.

Rason is a small free‑trade city on the China‑Russia border with a few sights and limited tourist services. One to two days covers the main attractions; extra time is only needed for business or border excursions.

ChongjinHaejuKaechonKaesongNamphoSariwonSinchonSinuijuWonsanPyongyangRason100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
North Korea (DPRK)
Best months
May–Sep
Avoid
Nov–Mar (cold, limited services)
Stay
1–2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
KPW
Money
Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.
Daily spend
Budget check · Mid check · High check (estimate; check)
Emergency
Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119

Get in

By air

check · No commercial airport in Rason
Nearest international airports: Yanji (YNJ, China) or Vladivostok (VVO, Russia); tours usually arrive by road from Yanji.
Show 6 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Most tours arrive by road from Yanji, China via the Tumen River Bridge. Within Rason walking is common; taxis are scarce and must be arranged through a guide.

See and do

Known for

  • Imperial Hotel and Casino
  • Sonbong Port Revolutionary Monument
  • Pipha Island beach resort
  • Free‑trade zone with foreign‑exchange markets

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Khasan (Russia)Train or road via the border crossing; requires Russian visaAbout 1 h
Kumgangsan mountain resortCruise ship from Rason port (check availability)check

Sleep

Tongmyongsan Hotel
Simple rooms, used by Russian dockworkers; near Rajin station.
Imperial Hotel (Emperor Hotel and Casino)
Hotel attached to the casino, primary tourist accommodation.
Bipa‑do Hotel
Located on Pipha Island, reachable without ferry.

Etiquette, safety and scams

Scams and watch-outs

  • A travel permit is required; Rason is the only place offering a visa stamp for eligible passports (not Japan or US).
  • Train services on the Pyongra Line are generally not available to tourists.
  • Foreign‑exchange markets operate at unofficial rates; card issued locally works only in Rason.

Check official travel advice; the city is generally safe for escorted tourists but requires permits.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Rason yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Imperial Hotel and Casino
  • Sonbong Port Revolutionary Monument
  • Pipha Island beach resort
  • Free‑trade zone with foreign‑exchange markets

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Rason

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police110
  • Fire and ambulance119

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/rason). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.