Travel enthusiasts often think of Nara, Japan, for its famous free-roaming deer. But did you know you can have a similar experience right here in Shanghai?

Welcome to Huaxia Park in the city's Pudong New Area, a hidden gem that's recently gained popularity on social media. Spanning 187,000 square meters, this park is home to over 200 plant species and conveniently located next to the Outer Ring Expressway of Shanghai. Originally a greenbelt, it was transformed into a beautiful recreational park and was included in the Shanghai urban parks directory in 2012.

Huaxia Park offers stunning natural scenery year-round and features a fantastic mini zoo that has no entrance fee. Here, you can meet a large herd of water deer (Chinese: 獐). These shy, native animals have been part of Shanghai's ecosystem since the Neolithic Age. In 2007, Huaxia Park introduced 21 water deer to establish a new water deer park.

You can visit this breeding base on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please keep your volume low to avoid disturbing these timid creatures.

Huaxia Park in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: pdlvyou]

Huaxia Park in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: pdlvyou]

Huaxia Park also features a wild animal sanctuary, home to rescued peacocks, black swans, parrots, monkeys and mallards. After visiting the animals, you can stroll along the park's shaded paths or enjoy a picnic by the lake.

Huaxia Park in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: pdlvyou]

Address: No 285 East Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area

Sources: "sqcb0601" WeChat account, "pdlvyou" WeChat account