Songdowon beach in Wonsan is one of the prime beaches of North Korea. This beach is famous for its clear emerald water and vast white sandy beach, providing a picturesque backdrop for an exceptional North Korea holiday experience. The locals often flock here in their hundreds of thousands, making it a vibrant hub where you can interact and mingle with North Koreans.

Kids having fun at Songdowon beach. Thousdands of locals visit this beach in the summer months. You can see the Wonsan-Kalma project in the background.

The majesty of the Songdowon beach is supplemented by two vibrant retro hotels nestled in its vicinity; the Songdowon Hotel and Tongmyong Hotel. What’s more, North Korea is in the process of building a huge new resort here, the Kalma-Wonsan area, adding even more value to Wonsan's fame and providing future travellers with modern facilities, ensuring their stay is ultra comfortable and packed with fun!

Apart from having fun at the beaches, you can walk to Jangdok islet, which offers stunning views of the city. Locals tend to have seafood barbecues by the pier leading to the islet as well as on the islet on sunny days.

Pier leading to Jangdok Islet

A walk aroud the Wonsan docks on a summer evening is always a great experience as you see locals fishing and just relaxing here.

Views of Jangdok Islet from the Wonsan Docks

Views of Wonsan city from Jangdok Islet

Located in the district of Hungnam, in the industrial city of Hamhung is a small hidden gem; Known for its relaxed atmosphere, this beach presents a fascinating spectacle of locals and tourists alike enjoying typical beach activities, including swimming, dancing and barbecuing on the wide sandy expanse.

Locals having fun at Majon beach

Majon provides several beachfront guest houses, with basic, but still fun facilities, often frequented by locals over the weekends. These guest houses come with a unique opportunity for you to mingle and even play games with the local North Koreans.

If you're a seafood lover, then the beaches in Rason, i.e. Rajin and Sonbong, must be on your bucket list. These coastal cities are famous for incredibly affordable seafood, that catches your taste buds with an explosion of freshness.

Rason is a seafood lover's paradise!

There are a handful of resorts in Rason that give you an extravagant seaside view, as well as easy access to local markets, where you can sample the region's seafood delicacies. You can also wander around the beaches, immerse yourself in the local lifestyle, all without a guide - a rarity in North Korea!

Connected to the mainland by a thin sliver of land, the beaches here have some of the most pristine ocean waters the DPRK has to offer. Apart from enjoying a bath here, or some you can also visit, or stay at, the famous Imperial Casino Hotel, when luxurious rooms, swimming pools and London telephone booths will make you wonder if you really are in North Korea.

And by the beachside the delightfully small seafood joint tends to the hungry sea-lovers with an array of shellfish hand-picked from the very sea the island overlooks.

Affordable prices make it all the more tempting; bet you can't resist the shells!

Adjacent to the restaurant are a few antique-style boats ready to undertake pleasure trips towards nearby rocks. Why, you may ask? For a glimpse of frolicking seals! However, if seals don't quite seal the deal for you, taking the trip is worth it just for the scenic ride.

From these tranquil waters, absorb views of the lush green hills encapsulating Pipha and the North Korean coastline; sights even more breathtaking than those seen from Pipha Island itself. Now, that's where the adored charm of Pipha Area spills out in full glory.

Seal-spotting in Rason

There's a small hidden treasure in Rajin, where lush, green hillsides merge into the pacific ocean; Chujin beach. While it may not be crowded with vacationers, this secluded haven offers undisturbed peace and tranquility. It's the perfect spot for reading a book or taking a solitary walk along its sandy shores while enjoying sunset.

There is a hotel located at the beach, the Chujin Tourism Hotel (why get caught up thinking of a fancy, glitzy name?). The simplicity of the hotel and its spectacular views of the beach add to its charm, offering an authentic North Korean experience away from commercial tourism.