體驗異地文化為旅遊目的之一，日治時期至美國的旅遊書寫極為罕見，這些文本為知識菁英思索並沉澱後的論述，因而別具學術研究的價值。故以日治時期旅美的顏國年(1886-1937)、黃朝琴(1897-1972)、杜聰明(1893-1986)與林獻堂(1881-1956)為例，擇取《最近歐美旅行記》、《杜聰明博士世界旅遊記》、《遊美日記》及《環球遊記》的美國見聞為研究文本。從作者學養、文化資本及旅遊動機等出發前的面向，到行程設計、參觀地景、與當地人的互動等過程，皆呈現旅遊與敘事的密切關聯。尤其旅遊書寫、影響實踐、文化批判省思等與回歸後的議題，更隱含知識菁英在離與返之間的衝擊。主要採文獻研究、文本詮釋的方法，廣泛蒐集見聞錄的相關史料，呈現同處殖民地知識菁英的敘事特色。

One of the purposes of travel is to experience different cultures. Studies examining Taiwanese travel writings about travels to the US during the Japanese colonial period are relatively limited in number. Nevertheless, these writings are significant discourses and worthy of academic attention since they are recollected thoughts from the intellectual elites. This study selected the writings of four prominent figures as primary research materials. These which include: “Recent Travel Notes from Europe and America” by Yan, Guo-Nian (1886-1937), “The Diary of Traveling in America” by Huang, Chau-Chin (1897- 1972), “Travel Notes Around the World” by Tu, Tsung-Ming (1993-1986), and “My Experiences Abroad” by Lin, Shian-Tang (1881-1956). Travel and narrative are closely related, and their relations can be discerned from perspectives such as these writers’ intellectual and cultural assets, and their motivations to travel before their departures. These writings are also useful for analyzing their travel itineraries, the important landscapes that they visited, and their cultural criticisms after returning. Their departures and returns, from their hometown to America, can be determined by their writings in reflection after returning home. These writings also reveal their epiphanies and culture shocks during the journey. The methodologies employed in this research included textual analysis and interpretation of important books, interviews, and field research in order to contextualize the boundary crossing thoughts of the Taiwanese literati. Their primary concerns in the writings usually encompass modernity in the US cities, observations of western education systems, the development of democracy, and criticism on the citizenship, and thus reveal strong critical perspectives on cultural differences and observations. By interpreting perspectives and analyzing narrative strategies in travel writings, and exposing the cultural differences observed by intellectual elites, this paper intends to contextualize the development of travel writings by the Taiwanese literati.