Young Pioneer Tours
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.
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Halabja Chemical Attack site in Kurdistan
6 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
The Kurdish people have been going through a saddening series of strife and atrocious struggles for decades now. During the rule of Saddam Hussein up until recently and on the forefront of the war against IS, the Kurds have suffered many casualties. On …
Street Food
5 July 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
It is fair to say that YPT, and me, in particular, have more than a passing interest in eating street food, and it is rare to take a tour with Young Pioneer Tours, including North Korea where we do not indulge at least a little with street food? But ho …
The Yazidis and the holy city of Lalish
5 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
The Yazidi religion and Yazidi people came on the world’s spotlight during the ISIS invasion of Iraq on the 3rd of August 2014 as they were forced to flee their villages, escape death, sex-slavery or become stranded on Mount Sinjar. Before those events …
How to get a Chinese double-entry visa
5 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
A question we often get at YPT is how to get a Chinese double-entry visa. For people taking the train in and out to North Korea, having at least a double-entry visa is a requirement. If you are flying in or out of North Korea, you might be eligible for …
North Korea City Guide: Nampo
4 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
Located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Pyongyang on the mouth of the Taedong River and connected by the Youth Highway, Nampo (also spelt Namp’o, in korean 남포) is an important port city on the country’s west coast. Nampo provides an excellent esc …
North Korean tours for US citizens
4 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
With the U.S. currently banning all U.S. passport holders from traveling to North Korea, despite a distinct change of tone from both parties and countless positive talks between President Donald Trump and Marshal Kim Jong Un, with President Trump cross …
West African countries adopt a common currency
3 July 2019 / by Pier Doyon
The Economic Community for West African States, a group of 15 countries in the region of West Africa, was meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday. Amongst the many decisions taken, the most interesting one for us travelers is certainly the adoption of a …
What kind of alcohol is in North Korea?
1 July 2019 / by Troy Collings
A common misconception among tourists is that alcohol in North Korea is either banned or severely restricted. In fact not only is it very common, its production is actually encouraged by the state. There is a surprisingly huge range of alcoholic bevera …
Ask A YPT Guide: What’s Your Least Favourite Border Crossing?
30 June 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
John – China/Kazakhstan Korgas Crossing I’m tempted to answer Luton Airport but I guess that’s not what you mean. In general borders and borderlands are great and amongst my favourite places, but some are of course more confusing than others. I’ve had …
