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Great Asian Railway Journeys

Rating:3.7 of 5Total number of episodes:30Last broadcast:06/06/2020 at 20:15
June 2020

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 10. Singapore...

4.3 55 x
Michael Portillo’s railway tour reaches its final stop - Singapore. Michael walks the streets of Chinatown with a local artist and uncovers the history of the Chinese community there.
May 2020

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 9. Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru...

4.0 8 x
In Kuala Lumpur, Michael tries the ancient art of pewter smithing and learns how the discovery of tin transformed a muddy estuary into Malaysia’s thriving capital.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 8. Penang to Cameron Highlands...

3.0 8 x
Michael rides one of the steepest and fastest funicular railways in the world and steps into a tropical paradise as he releases exotic specimens at Malaysia’s first butterfly sanctuary.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 7. Yogyakarta to Surabaya...

4.0 10 x
Beginning in Java’s royal city, Yogyakarta, Michael Portillo visits the Sultan’s Palace and witnesses the ancient art of shadow puppetry, known as wayang.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 6. Jakarta to Borobudur...

4.0 13 x
In the heaving megacity of Jakarta, Michael Portillo uncovers Indonesia’s colonial past as part of a Dutch empire and its rich history as a port.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 5. Hue to Halong Bay...

4.0 24 x
Michael Portillo travels through the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Near the formidable imperial city of Hue, Michael meets milliner Mrs Ngo, who teaches him how to make the iconic conical hat.
April 2020

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 4. Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An...

4.5 16 x
Michael Portillo boards Vietnam’s spectacular Reunification Railway to make a 1,000-mile journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. He visits the container port of Haiphong and finishes in Halong Bay.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 3. Bangkok to Hua Hin...

3.0 10 x
Michael Portillo steps into the ring under the guidance of champion trainer Master Toddy to learn muay Thai boxing. Can he perfect the cobra-inspired right hook?

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 2. Chiang Mai to the River Kwai...

4.0 23 x
Michael Portillo embarks on a two-part adventure through Thailand. Michael helps out at an elephant hospital, tries his hand at the art of umbrella-making and learns about northern Thai cuisine.

Series 1 - 60-Minute Versions: 1. Hong Kong...

4.0 45 x
Michael Portillo begins his journey in Hong Kong. Michael’s railway highlights include the cable funicular to the top of Hong Kong’s highest mountain and the enviably efficient mass transit system.
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