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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5 Countries that Used to Exist (and How to Still Visit Them)
4 October 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Countries of the world are constantly changing. Where usually we get new countries declaring independence, sometimes countries implode, fall, or are absorbed by other nations. Here are our 5 favourite countries that no longer exist. Plus, how you can a …
A Quick Look Around Ordos-Kangbashi Ghost City
4 October 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Kangbashi – a new city built to house 1.2 million people, where the Ordos Desert hits the grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China. With a static population of under 100,000, it’s China’s most famous ghost city. Whether you’re interested in urbanism …
5 of the Most Difficult Visas to Get
3 October 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
You might think that working for YPT means constant adventure and travel. But if you do, you’re a little off the truth. A lot of our time is spent in research and development of tours, whether in North Korea or any of our other destinations. And we als …
Seafood on the East Coast of North Korea
3 October 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
With North Korea exporting more than $50 million dollars of seafood this July and new sanctions clamping down on seafood exports along with iron and lead, some of the best meals you’re likely to have while travelling in the DPRK can be found along the …
The Karakoram Highway – What is it and why you should go
1 October 2017 / by John McGovern
YPT’s John tells us about the Karakoram Highway and why you should go to this part of the world quick before the Chinese developers get there! The Karakoram Highway is one of the ultimate travel destinations. Yeah, it’s just a road, but this is no norm …
Travel Update – Kurdistan
28 September 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Iraqi Kurdistan Referendum Results On Monday the 25th of September Iraqi Kurds voted in a historic but controversial referendum and the results have been announced with a huge majority in support of independence. While this may lead to uncertain …
Kazakhstan to North Korea For Under £500
27 September 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Travelling for weeks, we made our way through the Caucasus from Europe, taken a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan, and gone through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, ending up in Kazakhstan. Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a beautiful and mode …
Travel Update – Tibet
27 September 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Tibet will be officially closed to foreigners between the 18th and 26th of October due to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of Beijing taking place in China during that time. YPT can still organise independent tours to Tibet for any tim …
The Torugart Pass
26 September 2017 / by Gareth Johnson
Central Asia is famous for some difficult border crossings. Recently, the YPT team crossed one of such places between Kyrgyzstan and China. High mountain peaks, freeing temperatures and roadside cups of tea, this is Ben’s guide to crossing the Torugart …
