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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Why a DPRK-Russia summit should happen in Vladivostok
24 April 2019 / by Pier Doyon
After a couple of inconclusive summits with Trump, North Korean leader Marshal Kim Jong Un is now pivoting and meeting with Vladimir Putin in what is being dubbed the Kim-Putin Summit. While the current leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Kor …
News: Eritrea unilaterally closes land borders with Ethiopia
24 April 2019 / by Pier Doyon
Less than a year after it signed a peace declaration with Ethiopia and opened up its land borders, Eritrea closed its last open land border yesterday. Positive gestures were made in 2018 towards the normalization of the relationship between the two cou …
A strategic convenience: the history of Russia-DPRK relations
24 April 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
With Kim Jong Un travelling to Vladivostok to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, one may wonder if ties between the two countries are about to experience a revival. DPRK-Russia relations have, unsurprisingly, a long-rooted history. However, despite …
What Is Hwanggumpyong Island?
23 April 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
Cute islands in the middle of rivers like Hwanggumpyong Island might have romantic overtones, but more often than not they can prove to be right royal pains in the ass! There have been more than a few conflicts over useless rocks over the years. On the …
Is it safe to travel to South Sudan?
23 April 2019 / by Pier Doyon
At YPT, our mission is to take you safely to places your mother would rather make sure you don’t go. We believe in what we do because through travel, you get to see for yourself different situations around the world without the filters of the med …
The China – North Korea border (and crossings)
23 April 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
Despite North Korea and China being neighbors and buddies in all things red and socialist, the China – North Korea border is not only one of the most militarized and tense on earth, but is also one of the most interesting. To say Young Pioneer Tours ar …
Football Clubs of North Korea
19 April 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
We recently did a blog explaining the nuances of football in North Korea, and another on the man who is possibly their best player. In June we’re planning a trip to watch the most successful North Korean club side, April 25th, take on Hang Yuen – the c …
DPRK nightlife – The Random Access Club
19 April 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
When I first started taking people to the Taedong Diplomatic Club over 10 years ago, many a travel guide (and travel agency) stated it was impossible to go there as a tourist. In fact this was not the case, and a visit to the Diplo is very much part of …
Imperial Hotel and Casino
19 April 2019 / by Rowan Beard
Formally known as the Emperor Hotel & Casino and owned by the Emperor Group in Hong Kong, it has since been acquired by a new unknown owner in 2012. The Imperial Hotel & Casino is located in Rason – the Special Economic Zone of North Korea and …
