Great Asian Railway Journeys: Penang to Kuala Kangsar

Michael Portillo's 2,500-mile rail tour of south-east Asia reaches Malaysia. On the island of Penang, he traces the origins of the former British colony in Georgetown, rides one of the world's steepest funicular railways and is enchanted by exotic specimens at Malaysia's first butterfly sanctuary. Travelling on the nation's hi-tech railway network Michael visits its wettest town, Taiping, and learns how the discovery of tin made this land a prized possession for Britain. Next stop is the regal town of Kuala Kangsar, home to the Sultan of Perak and to one of Malaysia's most prestigious schools