Rason, located in the far northeast of North Korea, is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with borders stretching across Russia, China, and the East Sea of Korea (Sea of Japan). This area stands out in the country due to its more experimental nature in terms of economic and social practices, and it’s here that you’ll find some of the most diverse (though not luxurious) accommodations available to foreign visitors.
And amazingly there is quite literally a HUGE abundance of hotels here. Despite there being only around 200,000 people there are actually more hotels than in Pyongyang, with “opening a hotel” still being what the local government want everyone to do. Yet despite this when busy season hits and the Chinese come in, there are bottlenecks.
Here’s a breakdown of the hotels you can find in the Rason region, divided by their respective areas of Rajin, Sonbong, Pipha Island, and beyond.
Table of Contents
Rajin City: The Heart of Rason
Rajin, known as one of the most vital areas of Rason, is the commercial and cultural hub of the region. It’s a place where most tourists will find themselves staying due to its better facilities and central location. Here are some of the main hotels of Rajin:
Hotels of Rason – Rajin
The Sportsmen’s Hotel: Pyongyangesque
The Sportsmen’s Hotel (라선체육인호텔) is one of the most intriguing hotels of Rason, offering a unique experience that closely mirrors the feel of a Pyongyang hotel. It’s simple, functional, and very much in line with the North Korean approach to tourism: no frills, but not without charm! The hotel features rooms with dated but clean decor—think basic furnishings, dim lighting, and that unmistakable atmosphere of Soviet-era functionality.
Like the best hotels in Pyongyang, the Sportsmen’s Hotel provides that particular blend of politeness and formality from the staff, who stick to their routine but are always helpful. The restaurant serves standard fare, and there’s a karaoke room where guests can unwind in true North Korean style. It’s not about luxury, but about experiencing the odd charm of North Korean hospitality. If you’re seeking a Pyongyang-style hotel experience in Rason, this is the place to be.
Namsan Hotel: Rajin’s Historic Stay
The Namsan Hotel (남산호텔) is Rajin City’s original accommodation option and holds a historical significance that many guests may appreciate. This two-story building, dating back to the Japanese era, is located right in the center of Rajin on the main square. It’s even been graced by the presence of Kim Il Sung, who stayed in the rooms directly behind what is now a large TV screen in the square.
This also means it is THE place to see a Mass Dance! As we did for 2025. These rooms have been preserved, and if you’re curious, you can ask for a peek.
Although the Namsan Hotel has seen better days, the hotel’s location and heritage are unmatched. For evening walks around the square or a short trip to almost any major landmark in Rajin, this is the best hotel for your stay. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, and a billiards room for guests to enjoy.
Rason Tourist Hotel: Decent Rason Tour option
The Rason Tourist Hotel (라선관광호텔) is one of the top choices in the hotels of Rason, offering a comfortable mid-to-upper-range option for travelers visiting the region. Located in Rajin, it provides clean and functional rooms with essential amenities like air conditioning and Western-style bathrooms. The hotel’s decor is simple, but it’s well-maintained and offers a pleasant, no-frills stay that’s a step up from more basic hotels in the area.
The restaurant serves a mix of local Korean dishes and some international options, making it a reliable spot for dining. While it doesn’t offer the extravagance of luxury hotels, the Rason Tourist Hotel strikes the right balance between affordability and quality. For those seeking a solid and comfortable stay among the hotels of Rason, this is a great choice, providing a genuine North Korean experience without sacrificing comfort.
Rajin Hotel: Classic DPRK Decor
Another excellent option in Rajin is the Rajin Hotel (라진호텔) , a classic example of 1980s DPRK architecture. Sitting atop a small hill overlooking Hae’an Park, this hotel offers reliable hot water and electricity—both of which can be somewhat hit-or-miss at other places. Inside, you’ll find all the quintessential decor of North Korean hotels: shiny grey marble floors, oversized upholstered chairs, and quirky design elements.
With a prime location in Rajin and dependable amenities, this hotel stands as a solid, no-frills choice for visitors seeking comfort without the luxury price tag.
Tongmyongsan Hotel: Simple Yet Reliable
The Tongmyongsan Hotel (동명산호텔) is located just across the main square from the Namsan Hotel. It’s a much simpler establishment, catering mostly to Russian dockworkers and occasionally foreign tourists. Its rooms are basic, and while hot water and electricity aren’t guaranteed, the hotel is well-accustomed to hosting international guests.
This hotel is typically a fallback option, rarely recommended unless the other hotels in Rajin are full or facing utility problems. Still, if you’re looking for something simple, it’s a reliable choice.
The White Tiger Hotel – Bringing out the bling
The White Tiger Hotel (백호호텔) is one of the more luxurious hotels of Rason, located in Rajin (라진), North Korea. Known for its modern amenities, the hotel offers a higher standard of comfort compared to many other hotels in the area. The rooms are well-maintained, with air conditioning, Western-style bathrooms, and Wi-Fi in public areas—ideal for those seeking more than just basic accommodation in Rason.
The hotel’s restaurant serves a variety of local Korean dishes along with international cuisine, ensuring a satisfying dining experience. While it may not rival the grandeur of Pyongyang’s top hotels, the Tiger Hotel is undoubtedly one of the best hotels of Rason, offering a touch of luxury in this unique region of North Korea. And a decent FYI, the bar here is quite fabulous…
Chujin Hotel: Fresh and Cozy
The Chujin Hotel (추진호텔) is located about a 20-minute drive from the famous Imperial Hotel. It sits on what is possibly the best coastline in the Rason area, featuring a beautiful sandy beach with no rocks and flat waves. The scenery is stunning, and the vibe is pleasant.
The hotel is directly operated by Rason International Travel Agency and has been renovated in recent years. With relatively decent facilities, it holds great potential for future tourism development.
Sonbong: A Quieter, More Isolated Area
A short distance from Rajin is Sonbong, a quieter area of Rason that’s less visited by international tourists. It offers a handful of accommodations, although these are more basic and located in remote settings. Here’s what you can expect:
Hotels of Sonbong
Sonbong Hotel: The Best of Sonbong
If you’re staying in Sonbong, the Sonbong Hotel (선봉호텔) is the best option. Located in front of the Junghyon Revolutionary Site, this hotel features a decent restaurant and even has a small bookshop. While it’s a solid option for those who need to stay in Sonbong, Rajin still remains the better choice for most travelers due to the range of things to see and do in that area.
One of the drawbacks of the Sonbong Hotel is its tinted blue windows, which can make the outside world look strange and uninviting. Despite this, it remains an interesting and somewhat quirky place to stay.
Uamsan Hotel: The Mystery Hotel
The Uamsan Hotel (우암산호텔) in Sonbong is a bit of an enigma. We don’t have much information on this hotel as it hasn’t been visited by many foreign travelers, but it’s still an option to keep in mind if you find yourself staying in the area. We’ll update this section as soon as more details come to light on this mysterious hotel.
Pipha Island and Pipha Area: A More Remote Escape
Pipha Island, located a short distance from the mainland, is another area of Rason with several hotels. While these establishments are a bit more isolated, they offer their own charm, scenic views and that all elusive DPRK Beach Holiday experience – at least until the Kalma resort is finished.
Hotels of Pipha Island
Imperial Hotel: The High-End Option
The Imperial Hotel (formerly known as the Emperor Hotel) was the most luxurious hotel in Rason, located on the shores of Pipha Bay. A five-star establishment by Western standards, it was a hotel/casino complex run by the Emperor Group from Hong Kong and Macau, catering primarily to Chinese tourists. The hotel even boasted extraterritoriality, a rare perk that made it stand apart from other establishments in North Korea. With a fleet of Hummers to transport VIP guests to and from the Chinese border that were acquired by shall we say dubious means…
Guests could enjoy the longest-running casino in the area, a coffee bar, and even a grand piano in the lobby. The rebranding from Emperor to Imperial was reportedly suggested by a Feng Shui expert, who deemed the previous European-inspired crown logo and name bad for business, but was in reality for “legal” reasons. The hotel’s live bands, almost on par with the famous Moranbong Band, added a touch of North Korean luxury.
Since YPT resumed tourism in 2025, the hotel has unfortunately closed its doors, ending an era of high-end North Korean hospitality.
Pipha Island Hotel: Closed, but with Potential
Located on Pipha Island itself, the Pipha Island Hotel is a charming, curved-concrete structure that sits next to the seafood market. Unfortunately, the hotel is currently closed and remains out of service. However, its location and design make it a potential future option for those wishing to stay in the area. The nearby seafood market and restaurant are a highlight, and the hotel could make a great restaurant or bar complex if it were to reopen, but alas no one in living memory has ever seen it open (at least that I know of).
Pipha Tourist Hotels
Pipha Island actually has a plethora of hotels dominated by the 6 named ones. What do I mean? Well Pipha Island 1, all the way through 6, with our first group staying at the Pipha Island 6 Hotel.
What makes Pipha Island No. 1 Hotel so special is that it’s the only hotel in all of North Korea where tourists can stay at the same hotel that great leader Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il stayed at.
But it does not stop there, with there also being the Pipha Folk-customs Hotel, which to a degree resembles that of the one in Kaesong for anyone old or wise enough on DPRK hotels to remember.
Conclusion on the hotels of Rason
Despite its small size and perhaps due to the capitalistic elements of the zone, there is actually a decent range of hotels within Rason. And while most people will go in as part of a group tour, it is possible to do an independent tour and pick your own venue.
How you do this will depend if you want city life (to a degree), serenity with a view, or a good old-fashioned beach holiday.
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