I’ve spent December 31st in Tokyo mega clubs, Laos jungles and the Australian bush, but nothing compares to spending New Years Eve surrounded by thousands of Koreans watching the fireworks over the Taedong River as my new favourite new years anthem, “May Snow Fall On New Years Day”, blares over the speakers in Kim Il Sung […]

Young Pioneer Tours Chinese-speaking guide John describes his recent trip to Yanbian, on the China-North Korea border, with an American family who adopted from China. It was Nora’s first trip back to the place she was born and first time to meet her Chinese adoptive family who looked after her until she was 3. “I’m […]

There’s no better way to start the day, especially in a foreign city, than a quick jog to see a quieter and more relaxed side of a big city. Whether you live in Beijing, or are just passing through, this list will inspire you to see another (and healthier!) side of Beijing. Grab your camera, […]

Linda Hjelle, 24, has travelled with Young Pioneer Tours to North Korea on two occasions.  Linda, originally from Norway, is currently studying for a masters degree in Chinese Society and Politics at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. Here, she speaks about her experiences travelling to the DPRK with YPT. My first trip to North Korea […]

You might be forgiven for thinking that you’d just stumbled on a quiet town in suburban America. Tree-lined streets peppered with skateboarding kids, cool crystal lakes and large open parks make this town just as attractive and middle class as anywhere in a brochure for a holiday village. Only a shrewd eye could notice the […]

Hi! My name’s Matt… I’m originally from Melbourne and one of the guides working in the Beijing office. Like all YPT’ers, I have an inexplicable obsession with all things DPRK, having just finished my degree in International Studies with a focus on DPRK studies past and present. This is the first of my DPRK Chronicles […]

Just around the corner from Bangkok’s neon strips of sleaze, aglow with the famous golden arches and crispy chicken colonels quietly lies one of the more unusual aspects of North Korea’s foreign policy; it’s chain of restaurants. For those who know even the first thing about the Hermit Kingdom, a capitalist venture such as this […]

Whether you consider it a pariah state or simply misunderstood, North Korea is known for going its ‘own way,’ and the Hermit Kingdom’s fashion trends, such as the North Korean suit. If you are travelling to North Korea, you have no doubt noticed Chairman Kim Jong Il’s idiosyncratic, signature olive drab, zip-up jamba (‘jacket’) or […]

Mealtime in North Korea, like many East Asian countries, is a communal gathering with a shared assortment of dishes. Those who have visited North Korea on a tour have had the experience, sitting around the lunch table, drinking a beer, and discussing the day’s events. But mealtimes in North Korea aren’t just great for the community aspect- […]

Who doesn’t love a sunset or sunrise? One of life’s simplest pleasures enjoyed by everyone around the globe…and Myanmar has some of the most remarkable in the world! So here is our list of 5 of the ultimate spots to watch a sunset or sunrise in Myanmar: 5. Yangon A beautiful bustling city that really […]