Some 104 "young ambassadors" from around the world are spending four days in Nanjing as the city prepares for the Youth Olympic Games in August.

The ambassadors were invited to experience the city and its culture so they can give a good introduction and act as guides to athletes in their delegations, said a staff member from the organizing committee.

Cultural and educational events are a crucial part of the Youth Olympic Games, according to a statement from the organizing committee.

"The selected events are about culture, history, food and the environment. These are things that people from outside China most care about," organizers said.

The first event for the young ambassadors is a trip to the ancient city wall built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Organizers said the ancient wall represents Nanjing, and its history is important in giving young people a better understanding of the city and its people.

The ambassadors will then have a cooking workshop taught in both Chinese and English at a local culinary college. Instructors will show how to make two popular local dishes - beef and vegetable dumplings, and shrimp with luhao, one of the city's most famous vegetables. It is found only in Jiangsu province.

An expedition to the Laoshan National Park is also on the itinerary. The park has the largest forest in the province and is the focus of the city's major effort in environment protection.

The expedition includes outdoor challenges and orienteering.

In the challenge component, participants have to run an obstacle course, with rewards for each successful pass.

In orienteering, the ambassadors need to find 10 control points to get enough prizes. Those will finally lead to a huge puzzle.

Organizers said that the expedition aims to inspire young people with Olympic values.

In addition, the young people will visit a special zone to get in touch with nature. In farms and gardens they can plant vegetables, fruit and flowers, and also enjoy the scenery.

As well, they can plant a lotus and participate in other activities to promote environmental awareness, organizers said, adding that the committee will improve events based on responses from ambassadors.

fuchao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/27/2014 page5)