Young Pioneer Tours
Blog
Welcome to the Young Pioneer Tours Blog, the place where we we keep you informed about everything YPT, from current tours, to future tours and a whole lot of eclectic stuff in between.
YPT first started blogging in 2008 and are considered the best North Korean Travel blog that there is.
But, as Young Pioneer Tours have expanded our locations, so have we expanded our blog. Now we have one of the best travel blogs in the world!
And while most of our content is about the numerous destinations we go, including travel guides and what to pack, we also delve into more serious subjects such as the safety of certain destinations, as well as how LGTBQ+ friendly the places we visit are.
While the vast majority of our content is produced in-house, we are always on the look-out for guest bloggers and writers. Want to write for us? Then simply get in touch.
You can also check out our sister publication YPT Life.
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Ultimate Xian Guide 2025 – China’s OG Capital
28 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
The YPT Xian Guide! Xian, (or Xi’an, depending on how much you like to confuse yourself) is one of China’s oldest cities and its original capital. For over a thousand years, it was the seat of multiple dynasties, a hub on the Silk Road, and home to one …
What is the political system of Banda Aceh?
25 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
After decades of war peace was achieved and a new autonomous political system of Banda Aceh was set up. Most importantly this has led to Sharia Law and to a degree peace. What though exactly is the “system” and is Banda Aceh now the most Islamic State …
What language do they speak in Banda Aceh?
23 July 2025 / by Will Martin
You might be wondering what languages do residents of Banda Aceh speak? Well as the name suggest, locals speak Acehnese (Basa Acèh) as well as Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). In formal settings, i.e government education, news etc Indonesian is spoken. I …
Understanding the Banda Aceh Conflict
23 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Lasting for almost 30 years the Banda Aceh conflict saw the local Acehnese population fight a bitter war for independence or at the very least some form of autonomy. This carried on alongside the many other conflicts in Indonesia until the 2006 tsunami …
Ultimate Guide to Food in Banda Aceh in 2025
23 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
While unlikely to be taking the world by storm any time soon, the food in Banda Aceh fits nice and snuggly within the broader Indonesian cuisine genre, while also offering some choice local specialities. This means that while Banda Aceh cuisine might n …
The Flag of Ethiopia: a proud sign of strength and African spirit
22 July 2025 / by Sara Costa
The Ethiopian flag isn’t just a fabric waving in the wind; it’s a story. A story of fight, hope, and pride woven into every stripe. The green, yellow, and red, with that blue circle and golden star in the middle, are more than colours. They’ve inspired …
Visiting the Buddha Park of Ravangla
21 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
While there is lots to see and do in Sikkim, the towering Buddha Park of Ravangla is without question one of the most impressive and important stops if you are anywhere in the state. It is massive, peaceful, dramatic and surprisingly modern. It also ma …
What’s it like riding the Darjeeling Toy Railway in 2025
16 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
While tea might be the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think of Darjeeling, there is actually a lot more going on here, such as the UNESCO site and ride that is the Darjeeling Toy Railway. Yet while this might sound like something th …
Visiting Lake Tsomgo Guide
13 July 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
While traveling to Sikkim is a highlight in itself, probably the real treat of any journey here is visiting Lake Tsomgo, one of the highest mountain lakes in the world and as it would turn out quite an amazing place. And while visiting here is not all …
