Asia's Ancient Civilisations

Catching up on Asia's Ancient Civilisations?

Don't want to miss an episode anymore? Set up a free alarm and receive an email when new episodes are available. Handy!

Season 2
Hokkaido is a must-see tourist destination for millions across the region, but not many know about its ancient inhabitants, the indigenous Ainu people. Peter travels there to learn more about how this resourceful people survived and thrived off the land. Along the way, he meets Ainu artisans who make textiles out of tree b...
The Ryukyu Archipelago was the setting for the small but vibrant Ryukyu Kingdom that emerged 600 years ago. Peter travels to its idyllic island settings to see how the Ryukyu identity is finding new meaning today as he visits a tattoo studio reviving an almost-lost traditional style, goes on a beachside horseback ride with...
The Joseon Dynasty was the Korean Peninsula's longest reigning dynasty, and perhaps its most influential. Peter Lee embarks on an adventure across South Korea to learn how this modern nation was shaped by Joseon-era traditions and milestones. Along the way, he meets a fashion designer reviving traditional costumes for the ...
How do legacies of the past shape some of Asia's most modern nations today? Singaporean scholar and curator Peter Lee travels to Japan and South Korea to seek out epic legends and vibrant traditions of four distinct peoples in East Asia.
Archive