Cats Conquering the Mountain Town: Taiwan's Houtong Cat Village

Houtong Cat Village is situated in the Ruifang District of northeastern Taiwan. To get there from Taipei, you can take the train from Taipei Main Station, Songshan or Nangang to Houtong Station, which is located right next to the village. Houtong was once a hub for Taiwan's coal mining industry and got its name due to the large number of monkeys in the area. Today, however, it has revived as a quaint village famous for its cats.

Entering the village, you’ll first cross the only human-cat shared bridge in Taiwan, known as the "Cat Bridge."

There are more cats than villagers, and they are clean and friendly

Adorable and unafraid, the cats make the best models for the camera. Many parents bring their children to interact with the cats.

With over a hundred cats residing in the village—outnumbering the human residents—most of the cats are well taken care of and friendly. While many are open to interaction, it's best to respect the shy ones and not push them to engage. As you stroll through Houtong, you'll spot cats lounging on rooftops, stairs, and even inside the train station, providing countless photo opportunities. Some visitors bring cat food or canned cat food to feed the cats but remember not to feed them human food.

The cat village features many adorable cat decorations and art installations. The beautiful painted murals are a top-notch photo spot.

True to its name as Cat Village, this place not only has real cats but also features numerous cat decorations and art installations, as well as beautiful painted murals and piano stairs that make for excellent photo opportunities. The shops in the village sell a variety of cat-themed creative products and souvenirs, enticing cat lovers to spend.

Cats can be seen everywhere in the cat village.

Take a break at a cat-themed cafe

When you need a break, there are several cat-themed cafés in the village, each with its own unique style. One notable café is "217 Café," named after its address. It features adorable cat decorations and a cozy atmosphere, with a wall filled with travellers’ messages. Here, you can enjoy delicious coffee while interacting with the café's resident cats—truly a therapeutic experience. The café also sells cat-related merchandise for those looking to take home a memento.

At '217 Café,' the brick wall is filled with messages from travellers, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Ride a century-old mining cart through the tunnels

In addition to visiting the cats, you can learn about Houtong's coal mining history. Walk across the quaint coal transport bridge, where you’ll see the original coal tracks and carts, reminiscent of the town's past. Beneath the bridge, the scenic Keelung River adds to the picturesque view.

The coal transport bridge is a popular photo spot for visitors.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll arrive at the Houtong Mining Leisure Park, which was once the site of the Ruifang Coal Mine. Here, you can board a century-old mining cart to explore the coal tunnels and experience various mining tools firsthand. This unique journey feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to understand the hard work of miners. The ride lasts about half an hour, with an admission fee of NT$150 for adults and NT$120 for children.

Board a century-old mining cart and explore the old coal tunnels. The leisure park mining cart departs from 'Coal Transport Bridge Station' and takes about half an hour for the entire ride.

Additionally, after being abandoned for years, the Ruifang Coal Preparation Plant has been restored and opened for free public tours in 2022. The first floor features a reinforced concrete structure, while the second and third floors are wooden constructions. Visitors can see preserved coal selection and washing equipment, showcasing the mining industry’s history.

On the coal transport bridge, there are hand-pushed mining carts available for visitors to experience the work of miners in the past.

Houtong Cat Village

Address: Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Website: https://newtaipei.travel/en/attractions/detail/111588