“Taiwan’s Nara” – Lujing Ecological Park! Meet adorable sika deer & even feed Bambi

Reported by Hu Shaofu / Pingtung

No need to fly all the way to Nara Park in Japan to see deer! Located in Kenting, Pingtung, the deer-themed ecological park “Lujing” is home to an incredibly cute herd of sika deer. The open farm space allows visitors to get up close with Bambi, feed them, take photos, and more, causing animal lovers to absolutely melt—and earning it the nickname “Taiwan’s Little Nara.”

▲ Deer at Kenting’s Lujing. (Photo / Reporter Hu Shaofu)

The fenced activity area is quite spacious, and as soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the deer’s overwhelming enthusiasm. On the soft lawns, you can see sika deer of various sizes roaming leisurely. If you’d like to try feeding them, you can purchase a combo bucket of carrots and sweet potatoes or special-purpose fodder from the staff. Watching the deer eagerly approach for food in their silly, adorable ways will have you saying they’re just too cute.

▲ The deer at Lujing are very friendly toward people. (Photo / Reporter Hu Shaofu)

The park kindly reminds visitors that since deer have teeth only on their lower incisors and double rows of molars, their chewing mainly relies on the back molars. As long as you follow the feeding method recommended by the park and interact with the deer accordingly, you can minimize risks and have the most fun.

▲ When feeding on carrots and sweet potatoes, the deer come closer and are gentler. (Photo / Reporter Hu Shaofu)

Carrot & Sweet Potato Feeding Guidelines
When the deer are eating carrots and sweet potatoes, they come quite close and are gentler. However, because deer don’t eat other deer’s saliva, please feed them one piece at a time. Once the deer has bitten into a carrot or sweet potato, let go. Also, keep the bucket at waist to shoulder height—never hold it too high, or the deer may leap onto you. Walking while feeding also helps prevent the deer from pulling at your clothes or hair in their quest for food.

▲ When the deer are eating fodder, they stay farther away—perfect for photos. (Photo / Reporter Hu Shaofu)

Fodder Feeding Guidelines
When the deer are eating fodder, they keep their distance, which is great for taking pictures, but their pulling strength is greater. Fodder leaves are sharp, and stems are smooth, so when feeding, please hold each stem separately and feed them one at a time.

▲ Deer rice is a favorite among the deer. (Photo / Reporter Hu Shaofu)

Deer Rice Feeding Guidelines
This is the most fun way to feed—the closest interaction and a deer favorite. You can pour deer rice into your palm or borrow a bucket from staff to feed from there. If too many deer gather, walk while feeding to avoid overcrowding. If you’re feeling nervous, you can also pour all the deer rice into the feeding bucket for an unexpected surprise!

Lujing – Sika Deer Ecological Park
Location: No. 1097-1, Henggang Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Phone: 08-888-1940
Business Hours: 09:00–18:00