When most people think of North Korea, they envision a secretive state shrouded in political intrigue. However, beyond the headlines lies a land of unexpected natural beauty and an impressive array of wildlife. For the adventurous traveler, North Korea offers a unique opportunity to explore its rich biodiversity, a lesser-known aspect of this enigmatic country. […]

What does the reopening of Rason mean for tourists? In this exciting episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, we break the news that North Korea’s special economic zone of Rason has officially reopened to foreign tourists. Tune in for the details of this development and what it means for future travel to the DPRK. Who […]

North Korea Tour Updates 2025 17th December 2024 – We would like to inform you that YPT has removed our 2024, 2025, and 2026 North Korea tours from our website. This decision is not due to any cancellations, but rather a response to anticipated changes in tourism within the country. To read more about the […]

North Korea tours halted until further notice On 5th March 2025, we received notice from our local travel partners in the DPRK that tours to Rason – Special Economic Zone are halted until further notice. Pyongyang Trade Fair and Mount Myohyang Tour Announced YPT have secured a rare chance to bring a small delegation of […]

Young Pioneer Tours is at the forefront of bringing you to obscure destinations on a budget without compromising the quality or your experience. However many of our most popular destinations are countries sanctioned by the USA and the wider global communities – which warns against all travel. One of the most frequently asked questions to […]

It wasn’t all that long ago that cell phones were banned in North Korea for both locals and foreigners alike. Allegedly the ban occurred after an attempt on the leader’s life using a bomb set off via a phone, although this is very much an unconfirmed rumour. For my first few years visiting the country, […]

Rason is a special economic zone (SEZ) located in the north-east of North Korea. Being an SEZ means it plays by different rules to the rest of the country, and it’s a very unique little corner of the DPRK. One major difference is that it operates outside the socialist system of the rest of the […]

News Update: Travelling to the USA after a tour in North Korea

Pyongyang Korean Language Study Tour

Over the next several days, we made our way to Chongjin, the county seat of Hamgyong Province and the third largest city in the DPRK. From there, it was onward to the scenic Chilbo mountains. During that time, I developed a rapport with my guide. Eventually, we were riding together on a bicycle in the […]