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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The Should you go to the Gili Islands Guide
16 February 2026 / by Gareth Johnson
While the Gili Islands might scream YPT initially, it is actually not just really cool, but actually a really underrated place. Not to mention that it also makes a great alternative to Bali, from where we start and finish a number of our Indonesia Tour …
Chinese New Year 2026 — The Year of the Fire Horse and Auspicious Travel
16 February 2026 / by Andy Khong
Chinese New Year 2026 ushers in the Year of the Horse, beginning on 17 February 2026 and lasting until 5 February 2027. Governed by the Fire~ element, this is a rare Fire Horse year, occurring only once every 60 years. In Chinese metaphysics, the Horse …
Carpets of Iran: Threads of Culture, Art, and Identity
14 February 2026 / by Yvonne Lin
Few things say “Iran” quite like its carpets. For over 2,500 years, Persians haven’t just been weaving rugs — they’ve been weaving stories. A Persian carpet isn’t just something under your feet; it’s something you experience. Every knot reflects the co …
Discovering the Langsat Fruit
12 February 2026 / by Andy Khong
by Andy Khong A Hidden Jewel of South-East Asia When you think of tropical fruits in South-East Asia, durians, mangosteens, rambutans, pomelos, snake fruit, and jackfruit usually come to mind. But tucked away in the vibrant markets and roadside stalls …
Küştdepdi: Exploring Turkmenistan’s Ancient Ritual Dance
12 February 2026 / by Yvonne Lin
Turkmenistan’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage traditions are not museum pieces or staged performances — they are living, breathing parts of daily life, and two of the best examples are traditional clothing and the ritual dance Küştdepdi. Tradition …
Ashgabat: The World’s Most Guinness World Record-Holding Capital
8 February 2026 / by Yvonne Lin
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital – Ashgabat, is unlike any other city on earth. Over the past two decades it has been deliberately shaped not just as a capital, but as a record-holding showcase. White marble dominates the skyline, monumental symbolism …
Top Skiing Destinations In The Middle East 2026
6 February 2026 / by Caitlin Graham
When thinking of the Middle East, the flat plains of Iraq or arid deserts of the empty quarter come to the forefront of many people’s minds – enjoying a recreational skiing holiday seems bizarre and frankly not possible. However there are many more pla …
