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 Retro Datong Hotel
14 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
One firm hobby we have at YPT is staying at old state communist hotels in China, such as the rather retro Datong Hotel in Shanxi Province, Peoples Republic of China. Why do we enjoy this so much? Well party because it offers a window into how communist …
The Ultimate Datong Guide 2025
14 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
If you look up the 20 worst cities in China, Datong usually makes the list. Why? Well, the reasons are numerous, but having been one of the most polluted cities on earth certainly hasn’t helped. From the grimy skies to its industrial past, it hasn’t ex …
The (Street Food) Qingyan Ancient Street Guide
11 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
There’s a decent chance you have probably not heard of Qingyan Ancient Street as a foreigner, but it is that well known in China that Guiyang (which it is near) was one of the top 10 busiest airports during the recent May Day holiday. With that in mind …
The Former Port Sudan Hilton AKA Mapina Hotel
11 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Port Sudan’s Mapina Hotel is one of those relics of the past that gets under your skin. The type of place that was once a shining beacon of luxury and western influence, now a faded ghost of what it used to be. This isn’t just a hotel – it’s a former H …
The 10 Worst Cities in China (According to People Who’ve Actually Been There)
11 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
We’ve all seen the TikToks: drone shots over Shanghai’s sci-fi skyline, high-speed trains gliding across the countryside, and a latte made by a humanoid robot in a mall somewhere labeled “China.” But don’t be fooled because behind the curated clips and …
The Weizhou Island Guide 2025
6 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Weizhou Island (涠洲岛), located in Guangxi, is one of China’s rare treasures—an incredibly scenic destination that’s still under the radar compared to the overrun hotspots of Guilin or Yangshuo. While it’s easy to access from cities like Beihai, Shenzhen …
Ultimate Beihai Guide 2025
6 May 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Formerly a treaty port as well as the fastest growing city in China relatively few people actually know about the port city of Beihai. And it turns out that this city might just a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to traveling in the Middle Kingdom. Wh …
Yaodong Explained: Every Vital Things about China’s Cave Dwelling
6 May 2025 / by Steven Zhang
Imagine living in a home that stays cool in summer and warm in winter but without electricity. Do you think this is possible? Yet for centuries, millions of people on China’s Loess Plateau have done exactly that by living in yaodong. These cave dwellin …
