Thomas Bird was living in Southern China when he decided to explore the country by train and write a book about it. A great idea – and long overdue; the last notable railway-flavored China travelogue was Paul Theroux’s “Riding the Iron Rooster” (1988). Taking advantage of China’s rapidly expanding high-speed train network, Thomas journeyed far and wide. He also sought out the old lines and trains. Although framed around trains, “Harmony Express” is above all an account of the people he meets along the way and what China is like today. The book and this podcast episode will be of interest not just to train enthusiasts but for anyone interested in China (and those who think Bruce Chatwin is overrated).

More books at Plum Rain Press

Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files