Photos and videos depicting a foreigner volunteering at the busy Hubin pedestrian street in Hangzhou during the National Day holiday recently went viral on the internet, local media reported.

In the videos, Wassily, a 1.9-meter-tall Russian student who is currently studying law at Zhejiang University, was seen directing traffic and guiding tourists to cross the street in an orderly manner.

"Thank you! Hold on! The red [light] is on," said Wassily in fluent Chinese as many passers-by looked on in surprise.

The Russian, who also goes by the Chinese name Wang Xiaodong, has volunteered during the National Day holiday for the past three years.

"I thought every foreigner should take part in the volunteering," Wassily said.

He often volunteers in Hangzhou and is now a member of the Young Volunteer Team in Qinghefang Community, a residential area where many foreigners live.