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Pan Asia

SERIES 1

This gentle, beautifully shot series captures the sights, sounds, colours and flavours of Asia in all its guises.

Episode 1: Hong Kong

Sian Richards heads for Hong Kong - the gateway to China, where we experience the frantic Mong Kok Market - a traditional Chinese market serving up every part of everything that moves! We snack on a little Dim Sum - delicious dumplings that literally make your mouth water - and cook up some fantastic pan-seared grouper with stuffed calamari.

Episode 2: Jaipur

Sian Richards travels to India's royal city of Jaipur. Situated in the north west of the continent, it is famous for its princely palaces and imposing forts. Perched on top of an elephant, Sian tours a Moghul palace, and sets her sights on the heavens at a medieval observatory. At the end of the day, she cooks up a delicious regional speciality, Lal Maas - Lamb Curry.

Episode 3: Kolcata (Calcutta)

One of India's largest cities, Kolcata, formerly Calcutta, is the country's cultural capital. The legendary River Ganges flows past a mixture of modern buildings and monuments left over from the reign of Queen Victoria. Join Sian Richards as she tours this fascinating city, soaks up the culture with a renowned dance troupe, travels to the countryside and visits a family of sari weavers. She also cooks up Paturi Macch, fish steamed in spicy mustard paste.

Episode 4: Macau

Macau offers up an intriguing blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures and traditions, which is reflected in their cuisine - a curious mixture of Indian, Malay, and African together with the Chinese and Portuguese influences. We dine on a summer delicacy, Pork Minchi, a dish that typifies Macau's multicultural nature. Sian Richards takes in the world-famous dragon boat races, samples Portuguese-Cantonese pastries, and wanders into a traditional Chinese medicine shop - where ancient herbs and powders are mixed to cure all ailments.

Episode 5: Thekkady

Sian Richards experiences the area's rare wildlife, and visits a spice plantation where cardamom, nutmeg and pepper are harvested. After joining in on a Bharatnatyam class, a classical Indian dance, she makes the most of the local spices to cook Mutton Pepper Fry.

Episode 6: Thailand - Chiang Mai

It is only fitting that we visit a flower restaurant in Chiang Mai, Thailand's Rose of the North. Sian Richards will sample dishes made from bouquets, before heading off to Maesa, Chiang Mai's famous elephant camp, to dine on a delicious meal of mushrooms and pork in a tamarind curry sauce.

Episode 7: Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

The elegant proportions of the soaring Petronas Towers, presently the tallest buildings in the world, welcome visitors to KL. Sian Richards tours the Batu caves which contain Hindu temples - and then cooks up Langkawi softshell crabs and lemon pepper salmon.

Episode 8: India: Kochi & Kumarakum

Kerala is known as the land of coconuts, after the tall palm trees that shade the land from the harsh tropical sun. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth, with serene backwaters, beautiful lagoons and wooded islands - all on the coast of the Arabian Sea. People here get around on kettevallums - converted houseboats that meander through the area's emerald green lakes and canals. Sian Richards tries her hand at fishing with slippery Chinese fishing nets, and cooks up her catch - a delicate Meen Pollichattu, fish fried in banana leaves.

Episode 9: Malaysia: Penang

In Penang, the pearl of the orient, we send Sian Richards to a wonderful butterfly farm. Afterwards, it's straight off to Kek Lok Si, the temple of Supreme Bliss, for a sampling of local prayer cookies followed by durian, a fruit so pungent it's either loved or hated - but our meal of Penang Lobster cooked in Malaysian sauce is a hit.

Episode 10: Goa

The former Portuguese colony of Goa is one of India's foremost tourist destinations. It's home to magnificent beaches, imposing churches, and some of the friendliest people in Asia. Sian Richards heads straight out to the Arabian sea to master sailing an authentic Chinese junk, then she explores the region's rich history at the world-famous Bom Jesus Basilica. She also finds out how to prepare Goa's aromatic seafood curry and washes it down with feni, a local spirit distilled from cashew fruit.

Episode 11: Thailand: Bangkok

For all its hustling and bustling atmosphere, life on Bangkok's canals is calm and relaxing. Sian Richards explore the Aw Tor Kor market for the days catch, sample some sugary, syrupy sweets, and meet up with a traditional Thai puppet maker.

Episode 12: Malaysia

Come with us as we tour Malacca, a sleepy 600-year-old Malaysian coastal town. Sian Richards explores A'Famosa Fort and tries her hand at traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. She tries out the local favourite, chicken rice balls, and cooks up Chicken Pong Teh - chicken with bean curd sauce, potatoes and turnips.

Episode 13: Hua Hin, Prachub

Thailand's oldest beach resort and a getaway for Thai royalty, Hua Hin's peaceful beaches and untouched coastal villages are the setting for this episode of PanAsia. Sian Richards heads to the pier to get fresh fish, cooks up some local seafood, and descends into the mysterious Khao Luang caves.