The BBC's latest David Attenborough-led documentary showcases the wildlife found on Earth's largest continent, taking in the sweeping and dramatic vistas of Asia.
Asia is home to the highest mountain range, the deepest ocean, the tallest jungles, and the biggest cave, and this diverse landscape is showcased throughout the 7 part TV show – and it's the first time that the continent has been the focus of a landmark BBC wildlife series. Here, we take a look at the TV show's filming locations.
Asia's filming locations: oceans
Asia has the largest coastline of any continent and has one of the most abundant coral reefs on Earth, so it's no surprise that its oceans and its weird and wonderful inhabitants feature heavily in the series – particularly in episode 1.
Its seas are connected by one of the world's most powerful currents, the Indonesian Throughflow, and are home to over 60% of all marine species. From giants in the deep ocean, to tiny fish that climb trees, squid that glow in the dark, and grey reef sharks that hunt in their hundreds, the series shows how diverse and spectacular Asia's waters are.
- Moorish idol and Grey reef shark: Philippine Sea, Western Pacific
- Reef manta ray: Komodo National Park
- Dusky gilled mudskipper: Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia
- Sperm whale: Western Indian Ocean
- Dusky shark: Hadera, Israel, Mediterranean Sea
- Northern fur seal: Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia
- Barrel amphipod: Philippine Sea, Western Pacific
- Firefly squid (one of the prettiest sea creatures): Toyama Bay, Japan
- Sea bunny: Mabini, Philippines, Coral Triangle
- Black banded sea krait and Bluefin trevally: Banda Sea, Indonesia
Asia's filming locations: mountains
Asia is the most mountainous continent on Earth, and the challenges of these environments are the focus of episode 2.
From the forested slopes of the tropics to the heights of the Himalaya, Asia’s mountains are home to an abundance of specialised plants and wildlife. Follow the journey of iconic animals such as snow leopards, red pandas, Asian elephants and the world's largest species of goat – the Markhor – as they survive in these often extreme conditions.
- Everest: Himalayas, Nepal
- Swifts in cave: Tham Nam Lod cave, Daen Lao Mountains, Thailand
- Pitcher plant and tree shrew: Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
- Tea plantation elephants: Valparai & surrounding regions, Western Ghats, India
- Oman oasis: Dhofar Mountains and surrounding areas, Oman
- Markhor rut: Chitral Gol National Park, Hindu Kush Mountains, Pakistan
- Snub-nosed monkeys: Baima Mountain Reserve, Hengduan Mountains, Yunnan, China
- Tibetan foxes: Shanglaxiu village, Tibetan Plateau, China
- Deserted Himalayan village: Samdzong village, Upper Mustang, Nepal
- Snow leopards: Kibber, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Himalaya
Watch more David Attenborough documentaries: