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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In Pictures: Rason, North Korea
26 January 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Rason Special Economic Zone is located in the far Northeast of North Korea, bordering China and Russia. It’s modelled after the old special economic zones of China to promote trade, business, and foreign investment (read more about Rason here). Because …
The Top 5 Running Spots in Beijing
26 January 2017 / by Pier Doyon
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 health …
Rason Special Economic Zone: The “Other” North Korea
21 January 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Why is Rason the most fascinating area in North Korea? Because it’s the only area in North Korea where they promote something people wouldn’t usually expect from a socialist government: capitalism. It’s a place where foreign tourists aren’t generally t …
Not Your Average Beer Festival – Taedonggang Beer Festival Returns to Pyongyang in 2017
20 January 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
North Korea isn’t your average tour destination. It’s certainly not the type of place you’d expect to get sloshed with locals while sampling locally-brewed (and, in our opinion, very tasty) craft beers. Yet, in 2016, Pyongyang announced they’d be holdi …
“A Seagull Caught Alive” – Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il
19 January 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
One of the perks to working in North Korean tourism is easy access to the many publications of the DPRK, rarely read by foreigners or made available online. We’d like to begin to regularly share our favourites with you; so for you …
What’s it Like to Visit North Korea?
16 January 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
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, s …
City 40: The Place You Weren’t Supposed to Know Exists
13 January 2017 / by Alistair Riddell
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 …
Belarus Visa on Arrival for 80 Countries
10 January 2017 / by YPT Team
As of February 12th 2017, the Belarusian government launched a new visa program that allows citizens of 80 countries to apply for a visa on arrival at Minsk National Airport that’s valid for up to 30 days. Countries allowed Visa on Arrival in Belarus A …
Melbourne to Pyongyang: A North Korean Guide’s Story
8 January 2017 / by Alistair Riddell
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 DP …
