Chengdu's Little Nara, where deer are seen amongst the deep forest - Pengzhou Sansheng Temple

Chengdu has many temples, but Sansheng Temple really feels different with its strong Tang Dynasty architectural style. The temple is surrounded by lush ancient trees, with millennium-old Podocarpus and cypress trees towering into the clouds. Inside the temple, there are also many hydrangeas and Bauhinia flowers planted, and most importantly, you may encounter three lovely sika deer and two peacocks. You might bump into them while walking, and although the sika deer can be fed, they seem to prefer corn over carrots and are very gentle and like to nuzzle people. Another highlight of Sansheng Temple is that you can play in the water and drink tea outside the temple. You can park your car by the bridge and sit in the river to drink tea. Remember to keep sandals in the car if you plan to visit. Tea is ten yuan per cup, and with some fruit and snacks, you can enjoy an afternoon there. You can also order shaved ice, while children play in the water and catch crabs. Adults can play cards and chat, which is very characteristic of Chengdu. Sansheng Temple does not require an entrance fee. You can navigate to the temple by turning right after the bridge and driving straight to the temple entrance. The temple is currently being renovated, with some parts still under construction.