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.
Check out and subscribe to the YPT Blog and travel magazine
3 March 2018 / by Nicolas Platt
One of the most asked questions for tourists travelling into North Korea is if they will be allowed to document their visit and take photos in North Korea?. After all, pictures of you with North Korean soldiers and at the world’s most heavily guarded b …
20 February 2018 / by Gareth Johnson
With the recent controversial decision to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Army Day the day before the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, many were confused as to the legitimacy of this particular holiday on February 8th and it’s var …
20 February 2018 / by Gareth Johnson
I can’t actually say I know the Yardley Brothers, but I do know one of them, Luke Yardley, a guy I met many years ago on one of my frequent trips to Lamma Island. If you’ve not heard of Lamma Island, it’s like a hippie commune of Hong Kong, with Englis …
20 February 2018 / by Gareth Johnson
As the world’s eyes once again gaze upon another spectacle of the world’s fittest and fastest competing this time Pyeongchang winter Olympics, we often will find ourselves wondering what we are even watching. Pyeongchang as well as being the focal poin …
20 February 2018 / by Gareth Johnson
YPT’s extensive look at the rules of country collecting generated a lot of interest and debate amongst our Pioneers, and there is one question that people were keen to argue about. Does visiting Socotra, the main island of which lies 380kms away from t …
18 February 2018 / by Alistair Riddell
Xinjiang is one of our favourite parts of China. Part Middle Kingdom, part Central Asia, when you’re in a city like Kashgar you feel as though you’re closer to Tehran or Damascus even if you don’t realise that you actually are! You may also notice if y …
13 February 2018 / by Alistair Riddell
Nicolae Ceaușescu was general secretary of the Romanian Communist Party and leader of the country from 1965 until his famous televised execution on Christmas Day 1989. He left an indelible mark on Romania, and like many former communist leaders around …
13 February 2018 / by Rowan Beard
Air Koryo is North Korea’s only airline. It is constantly referred to online and by the media as being the “only one-star airline” or the “worst airline in the world”. Allow us to help you get to the bottom of this. This stigma and the ‘one-star’ ratin …
12 February 2018 / by Gareth Johnson
Like any country, Cuba has erected many statues, sculptures and monuments to beautify parks and to commemorate people of historical significance. Due to its unusual history, there are plenty which you might not expect to find in Cuba, or which you woul …