Blog

Welcome to the Young Pioneer Tours blog about everything North Korea, and all of our other special off the beaten the track destinations.

Since starting in 2008 we have seen blogging about North Korea and our other great destinations as a great way to engage with our customers and to show the world a slice of life in the great destinations we visit.

Due to the mass amount of great content we create, as well as receive from our Pioneers we have since started our travel lifestyle magazine “The Young Pioneer”.

We’re always looking for contributors to our sites, so feel free to browse through our blogs, and , get in touch if you’d like to write for us.

Check out and subscribe to the YPT Blog and travel magazine

Surviving as a Vegan in Belarus

November 22, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

You’ve heard visiting Belarus is kind of like stepping back in time. In many ways, it is. Before you wind up there on your YPT tour, you may be wondering if there’s any vegan food back in time..? There is! Written by Ryan Smith, Wandering Vegan I …

Founding of Havana, Cuba: El Templete

November 17, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Havana is looking forward to its 500th birthday, which will take place in 2019. The city of Havana was originally found some 50 miles away from its present location on the south coast of Cuba. But, after years the residents tired of living in a mosquit …

NK News: Brand New Online Shop Discount

November 16, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

***Exclusive $10 discount off any orders over $35*** Together with the launch of their brand new online shop, NK News are offering Pioneers an exclusive $10 discount off any orders over $35. Get hold of exclusive t-shirts, mugs, calendars, greeting car …

Trans-Siberian Diaries: Days 4-6

November 14, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Read days 1-3 here. Day 4 – Russia: Time travel on the TS Highlights: Very Russian scenes Stop off in Mariinsk Breaking language barriers A bizarre wake-up on day 4 suddenly made reality set in on the distance we were covering, and how long it was taki …

An Irkutsk Adventure

November 10, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Irkutsk is one of Russia’s best-kept secrets, it completely dispels the myths of gulag-style Siberian wasteland. While you may come across some of the grey old drab Soviet-style apartment blocks, you will also find a beautiful city with old architectur …

Why You Should Visit Siberia in Winter

November 10, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Traveling into the world’s coldest habited region in winter doesn’t seem to appeal to many. However, for me as an Australian, the concept of travelling to somewhere so drastically different from my homeland is enough in itself. Why would I go to a beac …

The Best Ways to Travel Around Russia

November 10, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Russia, with its immense size and vast expanses of nothing, can be an intimidating place to go to. Most don’t step foot past the western cities of Moscow or St. Petersburg, which is a shame because the whole country has amazing different landscapes and …

Trans-Siberian Diaries: Days 1-3

November 9, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

Day 1 Beijing – Mongolia: Boarding our 6-day home Highlights: Free meal x2 Crossing border Stepping out of the train at the border to Chariots of Fire We began in busy Beijing Central Train Station, grabbing our last KFC and Starbucks before the 6-day …

Young Pioneer Tours continue tours to North Korea – Chinese tour companies temporarily suspended

November 9, 2017 / by Gareth Johnson

As of the 8th of November 2017, the Chinese authorities have announced they will temporarily suspend Chinese tourists from travelling with Chinese authorised travel companies to Pyongyang. We would like to confirm this does not affect Young Pioneer Tou …