All in all, this park is great to just relax and have a stroll after a busy day in Rajin and Sonbong. It is the area of the DPRK where economic experimentation takes place and functions somewhat differently to the rest of the country. The Epoch Times has recently obtained internal government documents from a trusted source that revealed more information about China’s financial and agricultural aid … Mr. Kim, please tell me the truth. That Rason appears much like other parts of North Korea stands in stark contrast to the Special Economic Zone at Kaesong, near the South Korean border. A good analogy for the aim of Rason is to compare it with how things work in China and its Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The orphanage has a lot of educational material on the walls blended too with propaganda. Accordingly, Rajin is the logical base for exploring the region, as any corner of Rason can be visited from here on a day trip. It therefore made a lot more sense for businesses in this area or those further inland which are still ever further away from Dalian to purchase their goods from Rason. The 746km 2 Rason Special Economic Zone lies in the extreme northeast of … For your "mainland" DPRK visa this can be handed to you in Beijing, Shenyang, Yanji or Vladivostok (if you are not obtaining it in your country of residence). La Rason Special Economic Zone, pli frue nomita la Rajin-Sonbong Economic Special Zone, [1] estis establita en la fruaj 1990-aj jaroj fare de la nordkorea registaro proksime de Rason por antaÅ­enigi ekonomian kreskon tra eksterlanda investo. Construction is booming in Rason, so you will see a lot of building and interior decoration material on sale just outside of the market. These are truly impressive. KTG splashing out on a fancy advertisement in North Korea! Just to add to the uniqueness of this area, this area borders both China and Russia and it is possible for you to end your tour in either country! Photo courtesy of Yonhap News UPDATED at … A curious and attractive corner of a bizarre nation, where North Korea borders both China and Russia and the government is slowly trialling a more open economic system. Is this is all fake and just a show for us?" A wide assortment of fresh fish and seafood; from giant crabs to juicy prawns, you can pick and choose and for a low fee have a local chef at the restaurant cook what you purchased for dinner. The are… Foreign speculators would be taking major risks by investing here, and the majority of the ‘businessmen’ that can be found here today would be called ‘traders’ by most. After around 20 minutes we arrive at a point with rocks and full of seals. Chinese goods tend to be more expensive. The Cold War was over and old allies were embracing a new economic era: capitalism. KTG's Ranhyang, a Chinese Korean from Yanbian, trying some food at the Rason Taehung Trading Corporation. We actually took this from Fangchuan, near Hunchun city on the Chinese side. This curious corner of an already bizarre nation came into existence in 1991 when Pyongyang, in reaction to the economic reforms that were taking place in China, decided to flirt with trials of a more openfinancial system. Chilbo from Namyang, Rason Tour | KTG ® Tours | visit the special economic zone in North Korea Rajin and Sonbong at a low cost budget rate. The counties of Rajin and Sonbong (the name Rason deriving from the ‘Ra’ of Rajin and ‘Son’ of Sonbong) were part of the economic basket case that was North Hamgyong until this special zone came into existence. You can obtain Korean won when going to the Kwangbok store in Pyongyang, in fact we regularly arrange a visit there, but you need to exchange it back when leaving the store. In late October, 2014, the DPRK phased in a quarantine to prevent the spread of Ebola. Lee-Jay Cho and Glyn Ford during August 31—September 2, 2014 Following on from the conference, a small group of participants made a field trip to Yanji and Rason, to look at this critical area of Northeast Asia first hand. We can take a boat ride at Pipha Ilse and see some sealions in their natural environment. We cannot take pictures at Rason Market itself unfortunately. They serve imported draught beer and have tables outside in the summer. Located in the far northeast we arrive here after a 30 hour train ride from Pyongyang! North Korea designated Rason as a special economic zone in 1991 with the aim of developing it into a regional transportation hub. Please note that although this is a remote area of the DPRK that many Chinese tourists, especially from landlocked areas in the Dongbei (northeast) region of China go to Rason. 3 The plan would also mean that Rason would become a transportation hub for the countries in North East Asia, But this changed dramatically in September 2014 when I travelled to the Northeast and visited the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Rason (formerly referred to as Rajin-Sonbong). Discover this remote corner of the DPRK and Yanbian. Yes, the minimum deposit is 25 RMB (around 3 Euros). You can see the Imperial Hotel & Casino to the right of the islet. Pyongyang to Rason with KTG - exploring the DPRK by train with locals. Rajin-Sonbong Special Economic Zone - 2 Day Adventure in the far Northeast of North Korea Rajin-Sonbong, aka Rason, is a Special Economic Zone located in the far northeast of the DPRK, bordering Russia and China. Pyongyang to Rason by train with KTG - we took this amazing and unique domestic train route rcently opened to visitors, without guides, lasting 30 hours going from the capital of North Korea to Russia. There is information here regarding the Leader's visits to the neighbouring country. Northeastern Chinese businesses far from the sea used to be major clients as it was cheaper for them to buy seafood from DPRK and have it transported to them vs buying more expensive seafood from other areas in China, have it transported frozen to them. The Rason Special Economic Zone in North Korea's North Hamgyong province is shown in an undated photo from an investment brochure. Flights from Vladivostok to Pyongyang are on Fridays and Mondays but these schedules vary so please contact us beforehand if interested in any of these options. Fancy a North Korean suit? Take from example Yanji in the Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Yanbian in Jilin Province, China. A luxurious hotel located right by the seafront near Pipha Islet, it has anything you can ask for; deluxe rooms, fantastic sea views and the best indoor facilities in the region. Nothing like some fresh North Korean seafood with local North Korean beer to wash it down! For over twenty years, North Korea has periodically attempted to bolster its economy through the creation of SEZs, starting with the establishment of the Rason Special Economic Zone in the far … It is between 42 08'-42 38'N and 130 07'-130 42'E.This location is in the easternmost end of the country, bordering Russiaand China. The atmosphere is different here, somewhat more relaxed, and the different setup for tourists makes a visit to Rason of particular interest to those who may have already been to North Korea and want to see an alternative version of how things could be. It is handy to stop by here if you plan to go to the Rason market; an enormous market where you can pretty much buy anything, though foreign currency can be used there too. Rason International Communications Building - This region is full of signs that it is a Special Economic Zone. This is a unique part of North Korea and one of the least visited places in one of the least visited countries in the world. The name usually used for this area is the combination of the cities Rajin and Songbong i.e. The district has been developed since Jang visited China in August 2012. Please read below to see what there is to see and do there. The drive from Rason to Yanji takes around 3 hours whereas going to Dalian, the other main option to obtaining fresh seafood takes over 11 hours non-stop. Life here may still be hard, but on the face of it few North Koreans will have seen such an improvement in their lives over the last 30 years or so as those of Rajin have done, as it has transformed from being a remote backwater to being admired, somewhat begrudgingly, by the top-of-the-pile Pyongyangites. A monument for Admiral Ri Sun Sin, the famous general who devised the turtle battle ships, is located here. Rason Special Economic Zone: A North Korean Development Vehicle North Korea has attempted three times to establish special economic zones, where foreign companies can establish production facilities and enjoy special benefits and concessions, in order to attract foreign investment and kick-start its flagging manufacturing sector. It is possible to go to one of the ports in Rajin. Rason is located in a strategic commercial area; connecting the landlocked Northeast part of China, Russia, DPRK, South Korea and Japan altogether. While many of these former communist nations went through an economic ‘hard landing’ in the 1990s, the DPRK, as with nearly all things, decided to try and usher in these much-needed changes under draconian controls. Quite a sight! This eventually saw all tourism banned and all other visitors required to spend 21 days in quarantine. It also raised Rason city to the status of special city on January 4, 2010 and agreed with China on the issue of joint development and management of Rason Economic and Trade Zone and Hwanggumphyong-Wihwado Economic Zone in May 2010. We usually have some seafood in the area and can have a stroll around. Article détaillé : Zone économique spéciale de Rason. By unique we mean that it is the first Special Economic Zone in the DPRK and has a particular location, bordering Northeast China and the remote area of eastern Russia. can be visited in the DPRK other than this Special Economic Zone of North Korea. Rason Special Economic Zone. For many businesses it also meant that it was much fresher. On paper, Rason offered everything to seemingly keep all parties happy: a distance from Pyongyang; a rail link with Russia; an ice-free port; and a border with China’s Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. On the border to Russia and China, it is one of North Korea's least visited areas, and more difficult to access than other areas in North Korea. While Rason may be rooted to its two namesake counties, both of which having a town of the same name, Sonbong is a lethargic underling compared with Rajin, which is the only town of real note. Please check our Youtube video below to have a glimpse: These joint ventures have been closed on our last few visits, but definitely worth a visit if you would like to see how a DPRK factory in a Special Economic Zone operates. © 2021 Bradt Guides. Visiting educational facilities in DPRK gives one a great insight into what values are taught to North Koreans. Rajin-Sonbong - follow KTG on our two day adventure in this special economic zone of North Korea called Rason bordering Russia & China. Most of the JV in Rason involve Chinese or Russian companies. to what Mr. Kim, in utter surprise, replied "You are VIP guests to me and to our travel company, but you see all these people buying and selling? You will be asked to enter a 4 digit pin and voilà the card is yours. Of course, little came. Rather than roll out nationwide reforms it was decided that a litmus test was required, something that the old guard in Pyongyang would be able to swallow – and where better to trial a more open system than in the remote northeast. So whereas you can obtain a North Korean football jersey it will be one belonging to no team, basically just used to have some fun. This card is basically a cash card. Please click on North Please contact us for more information. Created after Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms were implemented in China in 1979, Special Economic Zones are areas where market-driven capitalist policies are implemented to entice foreign businesses to invest in China. Rason is home to some of North Korea’s finest lagoons, beaches and hills © Carl Meadows. The famous Mangyongbong ship, which was once harboured in Wonsan and was used between DPRK and Japan until 2006 is located here. Rason has plenty to offer to return visitors and those interested in the DPRK’s unique economy. Authorities in cash-strapped North Korea are easing entry requirements for foreigners seeking access to a special economic zone (SEZ) in the country’s far northeast, with wait times for visas now reduced in the hope of attracting further investment, sources in the region say. The process is much quicker than in other countries. With the gift of hindsight, we now know that the attempt at these reforms in the wake of communism’s global collapse was too little, too late: North Korea went through the hardest landing of all in the 1990s, decimating the country. The DPRK is shown on the right side of the image, China on the left and Russia in the background. Before mobile phones were launched nationwide for example they were used here. “Rason,” comprised of the two towns of Rajin and Sonbong, as well as their hinterlands, has been some form of economic zone since 1991. It is in the Kwanbuk region and location of the Rason Special Economic Zone. The state too now affords Rajin with more importance than it may have had in the past; the bustling Rajin Market and showcase foreign-language school highlight that Pyongyang may not be completely closed to the idea of rolling out wider economic reforms. Probably not something you expect to do when going to North Korea. We offer trips to this peculiar area of the DPRK. But now you bring us here to this busy market. The gallery is basically a store as you can purchase any of the paintings shown, except for any with the images of the leaders. Locate in the far northeastern part of the country, this is where the DPRK flirts with economic reform. You will encounter many Chinese tourists here. These include guide books on how to invest in Rason and the policies of the country regarding foreign investment in the area. Rason. There are several ways to access this corner of North Korea: On the Russian side it is possible to exit the DPRK via Khasan and then from there you can move to Vladivostok and fly to Pyongyang. Rason Special Economic Zone is an area carved out of North Hamgyong Province in the far Northeast of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, bordering both China and Russia. The 746km2 Rason Special Economic Zone lies in the extreme northeast of the country, bordering China and Russia. Views of Pipha Islet from the Bipagak Hotel. The 746 km2Rason Special Economic Zone is on the western side of the Tumen Riverin North Korea. Great chance to interact with the local students and teachers in English! ICBM missile test on November 29, things are unlikely to get easier for traders involved with the country's Rason Special Economic Zone (SEZ). You will see many local fishermen's boats there. Rason is famous for being the first, and largest, of North Korea’s special economic zones. Because Rason is a ‘Special Economic Zone’, you’ll find Chinese and Russians businessmen making transactions here. KTG are experts in trips to North Korea. Since 1979, China’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) have been beckoning foreign investors to do business in China. Rason, North Korea’s Special Economic Zone located in the far Northeast of the country, is undergoing change at a pace unseen in its twenty-year existence. The managers there have told us that the fishing and seafood industry has suffered a lot as a result of UN sanctions which do not allow the country to export these goods. Trips to Chongjin and the breathtaking Mount Chilbo, where you will be able to stay with a North Korean homestay, can also be arranged. At this point the towns of … You will be able to see the kindergarten facilities and at the end the children usually put on a show for visitors. Rason is a North Korean city and ice-free port in the Sea of Japan in the North Pacific Ocean on the northeast tip of North Korea. Locate in the far northeastern part of the country, this is where the DPRK flirts with economic reform. Korea Places of Interest page for more information on areas that According to North Korean Economy Watch, the area is surrounded by a 56-kilometre (35 mi) long electrified fence. Visit the trade fair and head further to Chongjin and Mt. You can purchase one here for as little as 200 RMB (around 25 Euros) whereas in the capital it will be over 100 Euros! You can get a DPRK national football team jersey in Pyongyang at the souvenir shop by the Arch of Triumph but it is not an official one. You can see for instances sentences in English and science formulae hanging on the wall next to paintings of Korean people suffering during Japanese colonisation, a group of children and an old man having captured a US soldier or a group of Koreans burning to death while defending some trees which have the inscriptions of the leaders names. So the name itself may not sound too exciting, but this is a fish food processing factory which not only gives you the chance to see how this coastal factory operates, but you will be able to sample the local seafood and fish processed here which will be cooked for you on the spot! Since 1996, Rason has allowed certain trade from foreign investment to help boost the national economy. A newly renovated orphanage offering children excellent conditions. Rason is the main Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of North Korea. Nevertheless, the paintings are beautiful and having a look around as well as seeing what messages they convey is a more than worthwhile experience. Apart from being the most influential Special Economic Zone of the country and a potential trade hot spot in northeast Asia, Rason is a natural home to seals. Basically they are not mass produced and sold. Yes, some business has come; the Russians have been trickling money into developing the rail infrastructure and the aforementioned ice-free ports, while China, Mongolia and others have dipped their toes into certain other waters, but most of the business is still small scale and speculative, with many of those who have decided to try their luck in Rason having political or ethnic ties to the DPRK. Please note that we can help with the flights Pyongyang – Yanji, Yanji – Pyongyang, Pyongyang – Vladivostok, Vladivostok – Pyongyang. Before mobile phones were launched nationwide for example they were used here. Right by the sea, it has a waterpark and is very popular amongst locals. The twin cities of Rajin and Sonbong are situated in this area in the extreme far north of the country near the border with Russia. The locals told me the Russian Ruble … © Copyright 2008-2021 www.north-Korea-travel.com. Compte tenu de sa localisation privilégiée à la frontière entre trois États (la Corée du Nord , la Chine et la Russie ), la région de Rajin-Sŏnbong a obtenu le statut de zone économique spéciale pour attirer des investissements étrangers. Rason has its own center too where you can see how both flowers are cultivated and where seeds are sold (the cost is 20 RMB, around 2.50 Euros). that the geostrategic location of the Rason Special Economic Zone can help the Changjitu Project achieve a 19% growth rate and create an output of over $200 billion by 2020. Rajin and Sonbong together make up a special economic zone created in the early 1990s to attract foreign investment in the DPRK and usually used as an "economic experimental area" in North Korea. You may stumble into Russian sailors, it is also common to see them in the market. Taking travel seriously since 1974. There are several casinos in Rason but this is without any doubt the king of them all. One of the local Rason guides, Mr. Kim, once told us that he was guiding some travellers from the US (this was before the US imposed a travel ban on its citizens from going to North Korea) through the market. Football kits, electric fans, fresh seafood, bicycles, motorbikes, kayagums (traditional Korean instrument), fruit... you name it, this market has it! As you may know, these flowers were named after the Leaders of the DPRK. This is the only bank in the DPRK where non-Koreans can open a bank card and obtain Korean Won. Situated next to Tumangang railway bridge, it is visited by Chairman Kim Il Sung when going to Russia. This is the only part of the country where tourists can visit public markets and use the local currency (DPRK Won) freely in shops, markets, restaurants and hotels throughout the region. You will also be able to enjoy a bird's eye view of where DPRK, China and Russia meet. The field visit to the Rason Special Economic Zone, Rajin-Sonbong, was organized by the NEAEF and the Delegation was led by Drs. He looked at Mr. Kim straight in the eye and said "Mr. Kim, I hear a lot on the news that people are very poor in Korea and that they cannot buy anything. A unique region where Chinese, Korean and Russian cultures meet. While Rason strives to become a bustling hub of business in this self-proclaimed ‘Tuman Triangle’, where China, Russia and the DPRK meet along the Tuman River, it is, in reality, a sleepy and picturesque corner of the country, with some of North Korea’s best sandy beaches, photogenic lagoons and green hills, all of which can be visited with relative ease. It's a pity that we are not allowed to take pictures here because the place is thriving, fascinating and packed with all kinds of goods and people. An interesting, and quite random feature of the park is that there is a Czech Beer Bar. Products here are either from China or local Korean ones. And hills © Carl Meadows Tumangang railway bridge, it is visited the. 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