It is interesting that when one begins to type “Niland” into the search bar, the first suggestion that Google offers is “nihilism”; defined as “the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless” and as “extreme scepticism maintaining that nothing in the world has a real existence”. Slab […]

Duck head, lotus root, pig intestine soup… Sound like familiar X-Factor fare? In actual China, you’re more likely to find boiled chicken feet than deep fried chicken balls, and most Chinese people will look at you like you shot their grandmother if you presented them with a plate of Chop Suey.In fact, as the wonderfully […]

Over our 10 years at YPT pioneering travel to “destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from” it is fair to say that we have always tried to push the envelope with new tour locations. Some of our favourites such as Iran, Central Asia, and our Eurasian Adventure tour have become cult parts of […]

Eritrea: a place many of us know so little about. The country is ruled by an authoritarian government, and the control on its citizens is staggering. It has even earned the lowest freedom of press index ranking in the entire world. In the last three years, tens of thousands of Eritreans have fled across the […]

Stocking up on Taedonggang beer and soju from North Korea, we set off on a trip like no other. For a week we’d be driving along the China-North Korea border exploring the borderlands. This on the Chinese side of the river, but with great views into the villages and towns on the Korean side and […]

Welcome to Samarkand, one of Central Asia’s oldest inhabited cities. Located in modern day Uzbekistan, a large number of ethnic groups still call Samarkand home. Thus, it is a city of preserved history and culture of not one group, but many groups – and is even recognized by UNESCO as the “Crossroads of Cultures.” While […]

Welcome to Samarkand, one of Central Asia’s oldest inhabited cities. Located in modern day Uzbekistan, a large number of ethnic groups still call Samarkand home. Thus, it is a city of preserved history and culture of not one group, but many groups – and is even recognized by UNESCO as the “Crossroads of Cultures.” While […]

More Infographics: blog Infographic – What you need to know about Turkmenistan blog Infographic – 5 Myths about North Korea blog Infographic – 5 facts about Chernobyl that might surprise you Want to find out more? Get info about visiting North Korea.

9) Lake Issyk Kul is more than just a lake Kyrgyz people are proud of Lake Issyk Kul and why wouldn’t they be? Its stunning! Issyk Kul means ‘Warm Lake’ – which does mean when we say Lake Issyk Kul, we are saying Lake Warm Lake. It’s called this because it’s surrounded by snow capped […]

Chinese food is famed around the world for its tangy spicy deliciousness – drenched in culture, history, and occasionally Hoisin sauce. As well loved as this cuisine can be, some dishes from the mainland may strike fear, anxiety, and disbelief in the foreign eye. 4. Spotted in Macau: Whatever in God’s name this is, and however […]