Journal of Travel Literature Studies
JTLS, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026, pp. 17-36.
Print ISSN: 3135-6788; Online ISSN: 3135-6796
Journal homepage: https://www.tlsjournal.com
DOI： https://doi.org/10.64058/JTLS.26.1.02
Anthropology of Travel[1]
Junwu Tian and Tingcong Lin (translator)
Abstract: This paper aims at eliminating the consumerist misunderstanding of travel prevalent in the academic field and reevaluating the ontological meaning of travel from the perspective of anthropology. As a kind of spatial displacement in geography, travel exists in the whole history of humankind, ranging from “Out of Africa” migration in the remote antiquity to the contemporary transnational flows of population. Travel, in the sense of anthropology, not only covers the variety of spatial movements such as ethnic migration, geographical exploration, military expedition, commercial trade and foreign communication, but also refers to the collision of human thought in performing these geographical activities, therefore reflecting the grand human progression. Thus, classical anthropology holds that the core of anthropology is travel, the oblivion of which is the amnesia of human history.
Keywords: tourism; travel; travel anthropology; progression of modernity
Author Biographies: Junwu Tian[2] (first author) is a distinguished scholar and Professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Beihang University. He earned his Ph.D. from the School of Foreign Languages at Beijing Normal University in 2003. In 2011, he furthered his academic pursuits as a prestigious Fulbright Scholar and a visiting scholar at Yale University, enriching his international perspective and scholarly network. Email: tjw1966@163.com.
Tingcong Lin (corresponding author) is an associate professor of comparative literature at Jinan University, Guangzhou. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Hong Kong. His research stands at the intersection of Victorian and postcolonial literature, historical and cultural geography, and heritage studies. His current project focuses on Western travel writing on China and Western images of China from the 19th century onwards. His research has been published in Victorian Literature and Culture, International Journal of Heritage Studies, International Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Urban History, Island Studies Journal, Neohelicon, and elsewhere. Email: lintingconglintc@gmail.com.
Received: 17 Feb 2026 / Revised: 1 Apr 2026 / Accepted: 10 May 2026 / Published online: 30 May 2026 / Print published: 30 Sep 2026. First published in Chinese as Tian, J. (2024). Anthropology of Travel. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 32(03), 118-130.
[2] Professor Tian’s research expertise is both deep and expansive, primarily focusing on English literature, comparative literature, and travel literature. His work in these areas is not only prolific but also foundational, significantly contributing to the establishment and development of travel literature studies within China and internationally. His leadership in major research projects is particularly noteworthy. He has presided over a series of influential grants from national and ministerial-level foundations, demonstrating his role as a leading figure in the field. These projects include the National Social Science Fund Major Project “A History of British Travel Literature,” the National Social Science Fund General Project “A History of British Travel Literature,” and the Ministry of Education Social Science Fund Major Later-stage Funding Project “A Study of Travel Narrative in 20th-Century American Novels.” Other significant projects he has led are “Travel Narrative and Cultural Metaphor in 20th-Century American Novels” (National Social Science Fund Later-stage Funding), “Travel Narrative in 19th-Century American Classic Literature” (National Social Science Fund Later-stage Funding), “The Image of Beijing in Modern and Contemporary Anglo-American Travel Literature” (Beijing Social Science Fund Key Project), and the Fulbright Research Program “Studies in American Travel Literature.”
Professor Tian’s scholarly output is substantial and impactful. His major monographs, such as A Study of Travel Narrative in 19th-Century American Classic Literature, Travel Narrative and Cultural Metaphor in 20th-Century American Novels, and The Image of Beijing in Modern and Contemporary Anglo-American Travel Literature, represent cornerstone publications in his areas of specialization. Furthermore, his extensive list of publications in esteemed international journals underscores his global academic engagement and influence. His recent work, appearing in prestigious journals like Style, Comparative Literature Studies, Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, English Studies, and Orbis Litterarum, covers a diverse range of topics. These include ethical literary criticism, digital humanities analysis, cosmopolitanism and identity in literature, narrative studies of aging and space, and critical reevaluations of authors from Thomas De Quincey to Kazuo Ishiguro and Amy Tan. This body of work reflects his interdisciplinary approach and his active participation in cutting-edge theoretical dialogues.
In addition to his research and teaching, Professor Tian holds several important academic service positions. He serves as a Standing Council Member of the Chinese Association for the Study of American Literature, a Council Member of the International Association for Ethical Literary Criticism, and an evaluation expert for the Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Sciences Awards. Combining rigorous scholarship with extensive project leadership and dedicated service to the academic community, Professor Junwu Tian brings a wealth of experience, a profound depth of knowledge, and an international outlook to the role of Editor-in-Chief. His distinguished career and ongoing contributions make him an exemplary leader for guiding the journal’s scholarly direction and maintaining its high standards of academic excellence.
