Through the ages, countless poets and writers have left behind beautiful verses about West Lake. Bai Juyi loved the bright, early-spring view of the lake. Yang Wanli couldn’t get enough of the summer lotus in full bloom. And Su Shi’s famous line — “light makeup or heavy, she’s always a stunner” — well, that about sums up how endlessly charming this place is. Now, here’s your chance to become an unofficial ambassador for this UNESCO gem: recruitment for the 14th West Lake Cultural Envoy Program has just kicked off.

Launched back in June 2012, the West Lake Cultural Envoy Program was designed to help protect and manage West Lake’s heritage, spread the word about its value, bring local communities into the effort, and build a sense of social responsibility among young people. These cultural volunteers get involved in sharing West Lake’s story and actively take part in preserving a World Heritage site — and along the way, they’ve made a real impact.

So who’s this for? Mostly current university students — both in China and Chinese students studying abroad — as well as international students studying in China, plus any resident of Hangzhou who already knows a thing or two about West Lake culture or other local heritage and has a genuine interest in cultural outreach and exchange.

Take Yao Han, a student at Nanjing University of Media and Communication. She went through a rigorous selection process to become one of the 13th West Lake Cultural Envoys last year. Looking back, she describes the experience as a deep cultural immersion. “We didn’t just sit through expert lectures on West Lake’s geology and history,” she says. “We went on guided walks, listened to stories about Su Shi, and even worked in small groups to map out a ‘City Walk’ route that blends nature with local culture.”

If you want to follow in her footsteps and become an ambassador for West Lake, head over to the official WeChat public account “West Lake Cultural Envoy” to sign up. Applications are open now and will run until June 24, with the final list of selected candidates set to be announced between July 7 and 9.

Once you’re in, new envoys will go through an intensive training session over the summer. This includes deep dives into West Lake’s cultural heritage — the real, substantive stuff — plus field trips led by experts to West Lake World Heritage sites, so you can truly get a feel for the rich cultural landscape. You’ll also take part in a series of cultural volunteer activities.

After successfully completing a one-year evaluation period, you’ll receive either a West Lake Cultural Envoy Certificate or official proof of your volunteer service.