Kimchaek, formerly known as Songjin, was named for a legendary Korean People’s Army (KPA) general in 1951 at the height of the Korean War. There are around 200,000 people that call Kimchaek home, and it is one of three cities found in North Hamgyong province (the other two being Chongjin and Hoeryong – the birthplace […]

Who is the North Korean head of state? When I was younger I had a political awakening: I remember asking my father about heads of state, in particular the Queen of England, whom I observed had no actual power. When I asked why a country needed one, my dad said something along the lines of […]

The Chollima 천리마동상 Statue is one of immense national and historical significance to the people of the DPRK. On Mansu Hill in central Pyongyang, you will find a 46 metre-tall monument depicting a horse dashing into battle. It certainly gives one feelings of a strong and powerful animal, but the history and, indeed, the significance […]

Yes, you read that right! WiFi in North Korea. One of Pyongyang’s fanciest hotels: the Pottonggang Hotel has recently installed WiFi in its lobby café. Naturally, we had to check it out on our recent 10-day May Day tour in Pyongyang. So how does it work? At 10 RMB for 10 minutes, you’ll get a […]

Young Pioneer Tours is incredibly pleased to announce that we have returned from our YPT-exclusive inaugural trip to the newest North Korean border open to Western tourists: Manpo, North Korea! Located in Chagang Province and sitting directly opposite the Chinese town of Ji’an, Manpo sits on the banks of the Yalu/Amnok River. In the very […]

Following the recent April 15th ‘Day of the Sun’ celebrations in North Korea, we’re going to take a look at some of the many other things named after DPRK founder Kim Il-sung. It’s estimated that there are over 480 things named after Kim Il-sung in over 100 countries, with some obviously being more impressive than […]

For anyone who’s travelled to North Korea – or has more than a passing interest in all things DPRK – it’s no secret that a great many things are named after the founder of the DPRK, Kim Il-sung. Kim Il-sung Square and Kim Il-sung Stadium are just two examples in Pyongyang, for instance. But you […]

Understand Hyesan is a city in North Korea’s Ryanggang Province that borders China’s Changbai Autonomous County. It has a population of almost 200,000 people. Getting into Hyesan From the Chinese side, the city is accessible via the Changbai-Hyesan International Bridge, and as of 1992 it has been possible for Chinese tourists to take 1-, 5- […]

Can LGBT people travel to North Korea? Contrary to popular belief, homosexuality is not against the law in North Korea, and people from the LGBT community are more than welcome to travel here – in fact, openly gay tour guides have frequently led tours here without issue. That being said, North Korea is a sexually […]

Sakhalin Island Who are the Sakhalin Island Koreans? People visit North Korea for many reasons: there are those that go just the once to check it off the list; there are some who go multiple times to really soak in the culture and the wide variety of cities and natural sights that the country has […]