International volunteers from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology pose for a group photo with local police officers. [Photo/IC]

During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from Oct 1 to 8, Hangzhou's iconic West Lake scenic area was filled with holiday crowds and poetic charm, with a group of international volunteer police officers standing out in particular.

Formed on July 22, 2024, the Xizi Volunteer Team from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology brings together over 80 students from countries including Tanzania, Singapore, and Cambodia. Their mission is to provide friendly, bilingual services and ensure the safety of tourists from home and abroad.

An Indonesian student plays with a baby. [Photo/IC]

Wearing bright green vests, the volunteers helped visitors cross busy streets, offered guidance, and promoted anti-fraud awareness through fun games that blended safety education with English conversation. Their quiz-for-a-teddy campaign drew smiles while spreading practical knowledge.

In addition to daily patrols, the volunteers became quick responders — assisting lost tourists, retrieving dropped belongings, and offering first aid when needed. One international volunteer even helped a traveler retrieve a phone that had fallen into the lake, earning applause from onlookers.

This holiday, these friendly guardians went from tourists to helpers, proving that kindness knows no borders — and proving why Hangzhou truly is "heaven on earth".

An international student helps a visitor retrieve her phone from West Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: PAXHJQ690001100]