Great Asian Railway Journeys

S01E14 Ambarawa to Surabaya

Guided by his 1913 Bradshaw’s guidebook, Michael Portillo embarks on a 2,500-mile train journey through Southeast Asia, landing in Indonesia, a major player in global coffee production. In the lush mountains of Java, he uncovers the history of how coffee was introduced to the island and explores modern production methods. In Semarang, the hub of the Dutch East Indies Railway Company, Michael visits the impressive Great Mosque, a testament to Indonesia's status as the country with the largest Muslim population. His adventure concludes in Surabaya, Java's second-largest city, where he delves into the rich local traditions and the significance behind its nickname, “City of Heroes.”