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Great Asian Railway JourneysSeries 1Episodes

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Back up to: Great Asian Railway Journeys

  1. Chinatown to Gardens by the Bay

    20/20In Tai Seng, Michael Portillo marvels at the world’s largest subterranean rail depot.

  2. Raffles Place to Botanic Gardens

    19/20In Singapore's iconic Raffles Hotel, Michael treats himself to a Singapore sling.

  3. Melaka to Johor Bahru

    18/20In Melaka, Malaysia, Michael Portillo tastes the spicy cuisine of the Kristang community.

  4. Kuala Lumpur to Melaka

    17/20Michael Portillo discovers Kuala Lumpur’s 19th-century origins as a tin mine.

  5. Kuala Kangsar to Cameron Highlands

    16/20In Kuala Kangsar, Michael taps into the source of the lucrative rubber industry.

  6. Penang to Kuala Kangsar

    15/20On Penang, Michael Portillo traces the origins of the former British colony in Georgetown.

  7. Ambarawa to Surabaya

    14/20Michael discovers how coffee was first brought to Java for cultivation.

  8. Yogyakarta to Ambarawa

    13/20In Yogyakarta, Michael admires the ancient art of shadow puppetry known as wayang.

  9. Jakarta to Borobudur/Kutoarjo

    12/20Michael visits Java’s most dangerous volcano, Mount Merapi.

  10. Jakarta to Bogor

    11/20In the heaving city of Jakarta, Michael uncovers Indonesia’s Dutch colonial past.

  11. Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

    10/20Checking into the Metropole Hotel, Michael discovers a bunker from the Vietnam War.

  12. Hue to Ninh Binh

    9/20Michael tours the imperial city of Hue and tries to make the iconic conical hat.

  13. Da Nang to Hoi An

    8/20Michael heads to Phan Thiet, where he learns how to make Vietnam’s signature fish sauce.

  14. Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet

    7/20Michael braves the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike.

  15. Bangkok to Hua Hin

    6/20Michael steps into the ring under the guidance of Master Toddy to learn Muay Thai boxing.

  16. Bangkok

    5/20In Bangkok, Michael learns how King Rama V introduced railways to his country.

  17. Ayutthaya to River Kwai

    4/20Michael helps at an elephant hospital where they care for animals wounded by landmines.

  18. Chiang Mai to Lampang

    3/20Michael tries his hand at umbrella making and learns about northern Thai cookery.

  19. Hong Kong University to Lantau Island

    2/20In Wan Chai, Michael discovers why Hong Kongers are protesting all over the city.

  20. Kowloon to Wan Chai

    1/20Michael Portillo learns the traditional Cantonese art of noodle making.