Great Asian Railway Journeys

Episode 1

Kowloon to Wan Chai

Michael Portillo learns the traditional Cantonese art of noodle making.

Episode 2

Hong Kong University to Lantau Island

Michael travels by train to Lantau, where the new International airport is, Here he visits an old gated village and meets the village leader whose family has lived there a thousand years. We see the huge Buddha statue that was completed in December 1993. Michael interviews an academic at the HKG university to talk about Chiang Kai Shek's legacy.

Episode 3

Chiang Mai to Lampang

Steered by his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo takes off on a tour adventure through Thailand from the northern city of Chiang Mai to Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai.

Episode 4

Ayutthaya to River Kwai

Episode 5

Bangkok

Episode 6

Bangkok to Hua Hin

Michael Portillo is in Southeast Asia on a spectacular 2,500 mile railway adventure across 6 countries, and this episode he shows the canal and river scenes and history in Bangkok then we see the attractive European train station in Bangkok where he boards a train for Hua Hin which was the first town where folk went on vacation as it is a pretty coastal town with a lovely beach.

Episode 7

Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet

Episode 8

Da Nang to Hoi An

Episode 9

Hue to Ninh Binh

Episode 10

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Episode 11

Jakarta to Bogor

In the heaving city of Jakarta, Michael uncovers Indonesia's Dutch colonial past and its rich history as a port, but discovers that the future is uncertain.

Episode 12

Jakarta to Borobudur/Kutoarjo

Michael heads to the volcanic heart of Java's Central Province. He visits Java's most dangerous volcano, Mount Merapi, and learns how over 300 people were killed when it erupted in 2010.

Episode 13

Yogyakarta to Ambarawa

In Java's royal city, Yogyakarta, Michael visits the Sultan's palace and admires the ancient art of shadow puppetry known as wayang.

Episode 14

Ambarawa to Surabaya

In the mountainous interior of Java, Michael discovers how coffee was first brought to the island for cultivation and learns about production today.

Episode 15

Penang to Kuala Kangsar

Michael Portillo's rail tour of south east Asia reaches Malaysia, and on the island of Penang, Michael traces the origins of the former British colony in Georgetown.

Episode 16

Kuala Kangsar to Cameron Highlands

Michael Portillo's journey resumes in Kuala Kangsar, where he taps into the source of the lucrative rubber industry that boomed at the time of his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide.

Episode 17

Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

Michael Portillo discovers Kuala Lumpur's 19th-century origins as a tin mine and tries his hand crafting jewellery at the Royal Selangor pewter factory.

Episode 18

Melaka to Johor Bahru

In Melaka, Malaysia, Michael Portillo tastes the spicy cuisine of the Kristang community, descendants of early 16th-century Portuguese settlers who mixed with local Malays.

Episode 19

Raffles Place to Botanic Gardens

Michael Portillo discovers Singapore's maritime origins and the vision of the 19th-century Englishman who put it on the map. At the iconic Raffles Hotel, Michael treats himself to a Singapore sling.

Episode 20

Chinatown to Gardens by the Bay

In Tai Seng, Michael goes underground to marvel at the world's largest subterranean rail depot, where self-driving MRT trains are maintained.