Angkor the Magnificent: A Lady’s Travelogue in Early 20th Century

Abstract

Since the mid-18th century, the technological progress in Europe and America changed the people’s way of life. The Westerners had interest in the natural resources, as well as the civilizations of people in the unknown land. Some travelers had diaries with short notes and sketches about their voyage. Several travelogues could be seen in newspaper, magazines, and books. The convenient and safe travel, including the growth of tourism businesses, facilitated the female to travel alone. Helen Candee Churchill, an American interior designer was one example. She had abilities in various areas and appreciated Angkor, the Ancient Cambodia civilization, so much that she visited this place in 1922. After the trip, she published a book, Angkor the Magnificent: Wonder City of Ancient Cambodia in 1924. She depicted interesting details on Angkor, according to the then studies and excavations of the École Française D’extrême Orient. It was the very up-to-date travelogue to Angkor at that time. It is a classic book on Angkor, written in English. At present, reading this travelogue is still enjoyable.