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.

Check out and subscribe to the YPT Blog and travel magazine

Mirae Future Scientist Street – DPRK Guide

1 September 2020 / by Nicolas Platt

Introduction Mirae Future Scientist Street (미래과학자거리) is a six-lane street built in a retro-futuristic style located on the banks of the Taedong River in Pyongyang. Construction of Mirare Future Scientist Street began in 2014 and was completed in Novemb …

When is the best time to visit North Korea?

31 August 2020 / by Rowan Beard

The best time to visit North Korea entirely depends on which season best suits your needs and your level of comfort during your travel. Since 2014, North Korea is opened to tourism all year round and has the most distinctive seasons throughout the year …

Pi Island Beach Nampo – DPRK Guide

31 August 2020 / by Nicolas Platt

Pi Island Beach is located in the Western Port City of Nampo, just a short 5 – 10 Minute drive from the West Sea Barrage. Pi Island beach is one of our favourite stops, especially during the hot Korean summer, where you can spend a few hours swimming, …

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – DPRK Guide

31 August 2020 / by Nicolas Platt

Introduction The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (금수산태양궁전) formally known as Kumsusan Memorial Palace and Kumsusan Assembly Hall, is a giant mausoleum compound located in Pyongyang, North Korea and serves as the final resting place for the former North Kore …

Hotels of North Korea: Air Koryo Kobangsan Hotel

28 August 2020 / by Rowan Beard

Introduction Not to be mixed up with the Kobangsan Hotel, which is a separate hotel owned by a different state-owned company and located only 10 minutes down the road. The Air Koryo Kobangsan Hotel owned by Air Koryo, the national airliner of North Kor …

Mongolian Currency ₮

28 August 2020 / by Matthew Brook

Introduction The Mongolian Tugrug or Tugrik ₮ MNT In 1928, the Tugrik officially replaced the Mongolian Dollar and became the standard currency of Mongolia. It was pegged to the Soviet Ruble, but once the cold war ended, the Mongolian Tugrik cont …

Pyongyang Foreign Language Bookshop – DPRK Guide

27 August 2020 / by Simon Haywood

Introduction The Pyongyang Foreign Language bookshop is where to buy the widest range of books written in North Korea. All materials are published by the Foreign Languages Publishing House of the DPRK and translated from Korean into various languages s …

Mongolia Language

26 August 2020 / by Matthew Brook

Introduction Well surprise surprise! The official language of Mongolia is Mongolian! Standard Mongolian is based on the Khalkha dialect in and around the capital city of Ulaanbaator. Foreign languages are not very common, but if you do find them you ma …

North Korea Holidays

25 August 2020 / by Rowan Beard

One of the surprising aspects of North Korea is the amount of public holidays and festivals it holds throughout the year. There are 71 in total! That’s more than most countries. Here is our brief list on the major North Korea holidays and celebrations …