Abstract: From the perspective of postmodern feminism, backpacking is not only a means for young women to broaden their horizons and overcome confusion, but also a gendered mode of self-expression and personal development. Within multiple frames of reference, travel becomes a process through which the self is reflected upon and reconstructed via experiential encounters and the dismantling of the gaze. This article focuses on the specific group of Generation Z female backpackers and adopts a participatory observation approach to engage directly in their journeys. Using qualitative research methods, the study conducts in-depth interviews with 15 female participants. Grounded in postmodern feminist theory, the research identifies five distinct pathways through which backpacking experiences contribute to the self-identity construction of Generation Z young women: the “self-environment” relation, the “self-other” relation, the interaction with material surroundings (“self-object”), the engagement with virtual representations (“self-virtual self”), and the process of “self-dialogue.” The findings reveal the underlying mechanisms by which backpacking shapes self-identification among Generation Z young women, offering new theoretical insights into how travel experiences influence female identity formation and personal development.

Key words: backpacking, backpacker, self-identity, postmodern feminism, generation Z women