Great Asian Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo investigates the impact of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule, rides the cable funicular to the top of its highest mountain, and visits the impressive West Kowloon train station.

Michael finds himself in Thailand, where he lends a hand at an elephant hospital and learns about northern Thai cuisine.

Michael learns how 19th-century King Rama V founded the city on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, built a grand palace and introduced railways to his country.

Michael braves the streets of Saigon - also known as Ho Chi Minh City - on a motorbike.

Michael boards the Unification Railway from Ho Chi Minh City to the capital, Hanoi, and then to the northern part of Haiphong.

Michael visits the island of Java in Indonesia and the mega-city of Jakarta, exploring its history and colonial past as part of the Dutch empire.

In Java's royal city, Yogyakarta, Michael visits the Sultan's Palace and witnesses the ancient art of shadow puppetry known as Wayang.

On the Malaysian island of Penang, Michael rides one of the steepest and fastest railways in the world. In the foody city of Ipoh, he helps bake a popular Chinese treat.