The Adventures of China's Last Steam Train

My Holidays in North Korea | Investigate Asia An unstable Soviet dictatorship, notorious for human rights abuses and known to be developing nuclear weapons, is probably the last place most people want to visit on holiday. But one travel agency, specialising in ‘danger tourism’, regularly organises trips in North Korea for tourists keen to meet ‘the last Soviets’. We join a group of three and travel around the country. Keen to experience first hand the realities of life in a totalitarian state, we even try to escape the official tour guide… ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

Uzbekistan by Train: Oases, Deserts and Soviet Ghost Towns | Investigate Asia Uzbekistan, a land of vast deserts and ancient oases, was a key hub of the Silk Road for centuries, where camels once ruled the trade routes. After Russian annexation, the Silk Road Express railway transformed the region, connecting the lush green valleys of the east with the arid deserts of the west. In Jangiabad, a fading Soviet-era mining town, the Olympic boxing team now trains in the performance-enhancing high-altitude air. Samarkand, with its iconic Registan Square, has become a tourist hotspot, even featuring a tourist police force led by twin officers Fatima and Zukhra. Explorers venture deep into the Hissar Mountains, seeking the legendary Timur Cave, said to have hidden Timur Lenk’s army. Meanwhile, Bukhara’s ancient Jewish community, one of the oldest in the world, struggles to survive after centuries of resilience amid persecution. Uzbekistan’s landscapes and stories reflect a captivating blend of history, legend, and transformation. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the

World’s Busiest Station: Shinjuku Station Tokyo | Investigate Asia Five separate train lines, almost three thousand passengers per minute and trains arriving every second. How can the people behind the scenes of the world’s busiest station overcome a traffic load like this every day? The teams in this Giant Hub need a minute-by-minute precision, a constant control, a military discipline but at the same time always still a smile on their faces for the 3,6 million customers every day. At 4:30 in the morning: The 200 doors to the world’s busiest station start to rise and they won´t close for the next twenty- one hours. This signals the start of the morning rush hour and requires a logistics process that is perfectly in sync. Nobody knows this kind of challenge as good as Hidehiko Moriyama, he is the station master of the biggest train company of the city. His team are the eyes and ears of the entire station. Cutting-edge technology allows them to keep an eye on everything from behind the scenes. When the day is almost over for

Tough Trains India | Investigate Asia Zay Harding takes on an epic journey across one of the world's biggest railway networks. These railways built during the 19th century by the British to move troops and raw materials across the land. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

Toughest Train Rides: Vietnam | Investigate Asia Vietnam’s railways, established under French colonial rule and completed in 1936, have faced a century of poor maintenance, conflict, and accidents. Accounting for 2% of the country’s annual deaths, railway safety remains a major concern. During the Vietnam War, the network became a vital supply route but also a prime target for US bombing, with engineers working tirelessly to keep it operational despite repeated destruction. Stretching from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, the railway reflects the country’s turbulent history. It remains essential today, supporting industries, transporting market goods, and serving as a critical north-south connection, though still in need of upgrades. Amidst the challenges, these resilient trains continue to play a vital role in both Vietnam’s economy and daily life. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better

Toughest Train Rides: Siberia | Investigate Asia In the heart of Siberia, deep within the Arctic Circle, Siberia’s Ice Trains operate under extreme conditions, with temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius and frequent snowstorms. Starting in Tobolsk, the journey heads 1,000 miles north to Novy Urengoy, Russia’s largest gas field. The railway is crucial for exporting condensed gas, and snowplough trains work tirelessly to keep lines open. From Novy Urengoy, the journey continues across the gas fields to Nadym, where a new railway is being built over Stalin’s infamous "Railway of Death." This harsh Arctic wilderness is also home to the nomadic Nenets people. The journey ends at Labytnangi, where a private train line runs to the Bovanenkovo gas field, the world’s northernmost railway. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of