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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Why is Jordan Still Facing a 60% Drop In Tourism?
6 December 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
This may seem like an easy question and answer – Why is Jordan still facing a 60% drop in tourism? Perhaps because of regional instability since 2023. However, if this was the case, we would likely see a drop in tourism rates in all surrounding countri …
The Quintessential Algiers Guide
4 December 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
With a firm mix of North African, French and Arab vibes, it would be fair to say that Algiers is a city that YPT love. Yet while we have quite an affinity for this epic city, it is also a tough nut to crack. And while crack it we indeed do on our tours …
Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site – Yan’an Guide 2025
4 December 2025 / by Steven Zhang
In the many revolutionary red bases in Yan’an, the Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site holds a unique and important place. It was the cradle of China’s revolutionary military force. Unlike Zaoyuan, which focused on the central leadership, Wangjiaping remain …
Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site – Yan’an Guide 2025
2 December 2025 / by Steven Zhang
Yan’an is known as the cradle of China’s revolutionary history. When people think of Yan’an, they often picture cave dwellings, red flags and the Red Army. Many revolutionary sites are found across the city, and the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site is one of …
The Napalm Girl: Walking the Highway She Ran
1 December 2025 / by Sara Costa
“The Napalm Girl”. Photo: Nick Ut. Few photographs captured the reality of war like “The Terror of War.” Taken by Nick Ut during the Vietnam War in 1972, this image of a young girl running from a napalm attack shocked the world. At a time when the trut …
What Is A Sıra Night? The 18th Century Ottoman Tradition Still Alive Today!
29 November 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
If you have been to South-Eastern Anatolia, perhaps you might have heard of a sıra night. A sıra night is a gathering of people for dinner – with many courses, live music and entertainment and, of course, lots of dancing. But what is so special about a …
The Amaranta Valley: a £35 million scam turned ghost city
23 November 2025 / by Morgan Bourven
In the hills above Klepini in Northern Cyprus, a valley of half-built villas marks what is left of one of the region’s most notorious property scandals. The development, called Amaranta Valley, was promoted in the mid-2000s by British national Gary Rob …
Why Are There So Many Glass Buildings In Tbilisi? Anti Corruption Campaigns, the 2010’s and Interesting Architectural Messaging
21 November 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
If you have visited Tbilisi in the mid to late 2010’s and onwards, you may have asked yourself, why are there so many glass buildings in Tbilisi? Tbilisi is home to many different architectural styles – Soviet Brutalism, Modernism, Constructivism, Stal …
Wine Making in Turkey? The 7000 Year Old Craft Still Alive Today!
20 November 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
While Turkey may not be the first destination that pops into your head when you think about wine culture (France, Italy, Georgia and even Australia probably take the cake), some of the oldest recovered evidence of winemaking comes from modern-day Turke …
