Great Asian Railway Journeys
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Great Asian Railway Journeys
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.
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.
Episodes 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
30:00In Tai Seng, Michael Portillo goes underground to marvel at the world’s largest subterranean rail depot, where self-driving MRT trains are maintained.
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.
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.
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.
30:00Michael 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.
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.
30:00In the mountainous interior of Java, Michael discovers how coffee was first brought to the island for cultivation and learns about production today.
30:00In Java’s royal city, Yogyakarta, Michael visits the Sultan’s palace and admires the ancient art of shadow puppetry known as wayang.
30:00Michael 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.
30:00In 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.