Great Asian Railway Journeys

Original version

BBC Four

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

BBC Four HD

Documentaries

Factual: Travel

Michael Portillo explores Asia's finest railways.

Series 1 (60-Minute Versions)

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Michael Portillo

Alison Kreps

Dave Minchin

Great Asian Railway Journeys: Series 1 (60-Minute Versions): Hong Kong

Hong Kong

BBC Two - Great Asian Railway Journeys, Series 1 (60-Minute Versions), Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, Michael’s highlights include the enviably efficient mass transit system.

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.

Michael Portillo is in south east Asia, armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Handbook. Published at the height of European imperialism, it leads Michael on a spectacular 2,500-mile railway adventure across six vibrant and independent nations.

Michael explores towering megacities and magnificent mosques, visits jewelled temples and golden Buddhas and rides some of the world’s most exhilarating and notorious railways.

Beginning in Hong Kong, Michael investigates the shocking drug wars in which Britain won the island and Kowloon from China and the impact today of their return alongside that of the leased New Territories.

Amid mass demonstrations, Michael asks Hong Kongers in Wan Chai what is at stake for them now.

Michael’s railway highlights include the cable funicular to the top of Hong Kong’s highest mountain, the Peak, and the enviably efficient and shiny mass transit system. He learns about British railway ambitions for the region at the turn of the 20th century and visits the state-of-the-art West Kowloon station with its high-speed link to China – the largest underground high-speed station in the world.

Great Asian Railway Journeys: Series 1 (60-Minute Versions)

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Great Asian Railway Journeys

Series 1 (60-Minute Versions)

Hong Kong

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four