Rason, once known as Rajin-Sonbong, is a special economic zone located in the northeastern part of North Korea. Historically, the region has focused on fostering international trade due to its strategic position close to China and Russia. The idea behind making Rason a special economic zone was to attract foreign investment and boost the North Korean economy.
Tourism in North Korea has always been tightly controlled by the governing authorities. The country opened up to tourism in the late 20th century, but it was not until the 1990s that Rason started to gain recognition as a potential tourist destination. The establishment of the Rason Special Economic Zone led to incremental increases in foreign visitors, particularly those interested in trade and business opportunities.
The Rason International Trade Exhibition is an important event in Rason's calendar. Launched as a platform to showcase the economic opportunities within the special economic zone, the exhibition brings together companies from around the globe. Exhibitors display a variety of goods and services, from electronics to machinery and from consumer goods to industrial equipment.
The exhibition is aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and encouraging foreign investment. It provides a rare opportunity for international businesses to gain insight into North Korea's markets. Visitors include foreign investors, trade delegations, and business representatives looking to establish contacts and explore trade avenues.
In recent years, there has been a slight shift in tourism dynamics in North Korea and Rason, with the country taking cautious steps to promote tourism as a means to earn foreign currency. Rason is developing its infrastructure to accommodate tourists, offering experiences such as tours to local factories, shopping in the Rason markets, and visits to nearby natural attractions.
Sustainable and controlled tourism is being explored, with the aim of offering a more authentic perspective of life in North Korea without unsettling the socialist status quo. As part of this trend, there have been talks of developing more tourism-related events, such as cultural festivals and exhibitions, to open up Rason to a broader spectrum of international visitors.
Still, tourism in Rason and North Korea as a whole remains highly regulated. Visitors are usually part of guided tours and are expected to adhere to strict rules of conduct during their stays.
Beaches (2)
Historical Places (9)
Museums (4)
Mountains (2)
Island (2)
