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
7 August 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
Iran Travel Update August 6 2025 – After the brief Iran-Israel war in June, Iran has quietly announced new restrictions on tourism that affects most nationalities. Below is the most important updates you need to know before traveling to Iran. Independe …
7 August 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
While there is a lot of frivolous elements to our Extremes of Japan Tour, we also do some fairly serious stuff, with this year timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing, as well as that of Nagasaki. And it was certainl …
7 August 2025 / by Caitlin Graham
Pakistani Foods are some of the most vibrant, colorful and flavorful food scene that incorporated influence from Persian, India, Afghan and Central Asian cuisines. Pakistani foods are some of the most vibrant, colorful and flavorful dishes in the world …
6 August 2025 / by Steven Zhang
Perched at the foot of Tatipu Hill on Lhasa’s northern outskirts, Sera Monastery – meaning “Wild Rose” – traces back to the once-vast carpets of wild roses that painted the surrounding valleys in vibrant hues each spring. In its golden age, this spirit …
5 August 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Should you visit Aokigahara, or as it is more commonly known suicide forest? Well as someone who literally just been there I would certainly say yes! The reasons for this are myriad, but aside from being a genuinely beautiful place around Mount Fuji, t …
5 August 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
Now one of the best parts about YPT, in my opinion anyway, is that we don’t mind going off on a tangent, or changing the itinerary if something cool comes along. And that is how we discovered not just the Nostalgic Toys Museum, BUT also a Samurai Darth …
4 August 2025 / by Steven Zhang
Drepung Monastery is a huge and magnificent monastery complex nestled against the lush green slopes of Mount Gephel on the western outskirts of Lhasa. Known as one of the “Three Great Monasteries” of Tibet, along with Ganden and Sera, Drepung exudes an …
4 August 2025 / by Gareth Johnson
There is a saying that history is written by the victors, but if the Yushukan Museum is anything to go by, then that is not always the case. In fact, what you will learn when you come here might be somewhat different to what you have heard at home, or …
4 August 2025 / by Yvonne Lin
Bhutan’s traditional clothing is more than just attire—it is a symbol of the nation’s heritage, spiritual values, and cultural pride. Rooted in centuries-old customs, the distinctive garments of Bhutan reflect the country’s deep connection to its Buddh …