Â鶹Éç

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.