Parts Unknown Announces Season Four Line-Up

As previously reported, the new season of Anthony Bourdain's CNN travelogue Parts Unknown will debut on September 28, and now, the network has revealed the eight locations where Bourdain will get quippy during season four. Bourdain's visit to Shanghai will serve as the season premiere, with NYC borough the Bronx following (during the latter, hip-hop legend Afrika Bambaataa acts as one of the tour guides). According to a press release, Vietnam, Massachusetts, Tanzania, Jamaica, Paraguay, and Bourdain's previously revealed visit to Iran will also be featured.

In a Parts first, the premiere Shanghai episode will also be livestreamed on CNN, and like last year, an online "Flipboard" will accompany the episodes. There's also a brief promo video now available; head below for that and the press release descriptions for each episode:

Video: Bourdain Parts Unknown: Season 4

And the press release:

Peabody, Emmy-Award-Winning CNN Original Series "Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown" Launches Season Four with a Tour of Shanghai, Sunday Sept. 28

Season four of the top-rated Emmy and Peabody award-winning CNN Original Series Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, begins on Sunday, September 28 at 9pm ET/PT with a tour of Shanghai, China. Immediately following, CNN premieres This is Life with Lisa Ling at 10 pm ET/PT, as previously announced. [...]

Following are the locations and episode descriptions for season four of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown:

Shanghai (airdate: Sept. 28) In the season premiere of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, the host explores Shanghai by savoring classic, home-style cuisine at restaurants that include Chun and Fuchun Xiaolong, and converses with locals who give their take on their country's booming economy and expanding global influence.

The Bronx (airdate: Oct. 5) – Bourdain explores the widely diverse cuisines and cultures found in the NYC borough just north of Manhattan. Bronx mainstays Afrika Bambaataa, Mellle Mel, and Baron Ambrosia help guide the host through the music, food, art, and other offerings of this often misunderstood part of the city.

Vietnam (airdate TBA) Parts Unknown travels to the host's "first love," with a look at Hue, a city in central Vietnam, including excursions to the Dong Ba market, Vinh Moc tunnels, the Duyen Anh restaurant, and the Citadel. Sampled dishes include Com Hen, Bun Bo Hue and a special bird's nest soup.

Massachusetts (airdate TBA) In a departure for the series, Bourdain takes a trip to the Provincetown haunts of his post high school youth (The Atlantic House, The Lobster Pot) that marked the start of his culinary career, and he candidly discusses his descent into heroin addiction (and later recovery). He then heads to the western part of the state to throw light on the unexpected and exploding heroin problem in small town New England – discussing with residents exactly how this happened – and how they are learning to deal with it as a community.

Tanzania (airdate TBA) Parts Unknown travels to Tanzania for an African safari adventure. Bourdain visits Zanzibar, a one-time slave trade hub, and enjoys the island's famous foods, from mandazi to street food including grilled seafood and the famous Zanzibari pizza. On an excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Bourdain comes face to face with lions, elephants, and the great migration.

Jamaica (airdate TBA) Bourdain heads to Jamaica, a destination well known for delicious Caribbean delicacies and feel-good vibes. The host travels along the Northeast region of the island and explores life in Port Antonio and Winnifred Beach. He also delves into the importance of music legend Bob Marley, with his producer Chris Blackwell, and takes a side trip to the home of author Ian Fleming (the setting of James Bond novels). A main topic in this episode is the ever-burgeoning tourist industry and how it continues to affect the local population.

Paraguay (airdate TBA) An investigation into the puzzling history of the host's great, great, great, grandfather, Paraguayan émigré Jean Bourdain, is a springboard to his first tour of this South American country, primarily comprised of jungle and desert land, which features a rich culture and savory local dishes that include Bife Koygua, Bori Bori, and Sopa Paraguaya.

Iran (airdate TBA) Bourdain and his crew take their long-awaited inaugural trip to Iran exploring Tehran and Isfahan, and sites that include Imam Square, the Borje Milad, mosques, and ancient caravanserai. The cuisine includes Dizi, Fesenjan, Biryani, and Tahdig. Local guides for this tour include Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and his wife Yeganeh Salehi, who were subsequently detained by the Iranian government.

To complement the viewing experience, CNN has published a Flipboard mag "Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown." Visit: http://flip.it/BourdainCNN to follow Bourdain's social media feeds, dig deeper into destinations for season four and get to know featured chefs from the episodes.

· Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: Season 4 [YouTube]
· All Parts Unknown Coverage on Eater [-E-]