Marius Buys, a Dutch clergyman, traveled extensively throughout the Dutch East Indies from 1878 to 1890, spending time in Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. His experiences in the Preanger regencies, which spanned three decades, had a profound impact on his perspective as a tourist and traveler. Following his return to the Netherlands in 1890, Buys published two notable works, 'Batavia, Buitenzorg en de Preanger. Gids voor Bezoekers en Toeristen' (1891) and 'In het hart der Preanger' (1900). The travel guidebook, 'Batavia, Buitenzorg en de Preanger,' was specifically designed for visitors and tourists, providing insights into the culture and customs of the region's indigenous peoples. Similarly, 'In het hart der Preanger' offered a firsthand account of Buys' experiences as a missionary and traveler in the region. This article employs the concepts developed by Esme Cleall regarding European missionaries' thinking during the British Empire in Asia and Africa in the nineteenth century, providing a nuanced understanding of Buys' perspective as reflected in his travel text and guidebook.