Houtong Cat Village: A Must-Visit Taiwan Destination

Located in the Ruifang District of New Taipei City, Houtong Cat Village is a must-visit destination in Taiwan.

The village was once a mining town, but it has since been transformed into a cat lover's paradise.

Houtong Cat Village is home to over 600 cats, many of which are stray animals that were rescued and adopted by the local community.

These adorable felines roam freely throughout the village, and visitors can interact with them and take photos.

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Houtong Cat Village is located in a former mining town about 30 kilometers northeast of downtown Beijing.

Getting to Houtong Cat Village is relatively easy, as it's connected to the city's public transportation system. The village is a 30-minute bus ride from the nearby town of Pinggu.

Plan to visit Houtong Cat Village during the warmer months, as the cats tend to be more active and visible during this time.

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Houtong doesn't get the same heavy tourist crowds as nearby Jiufen Old Street and Shifen Old Street, so you don't need to worry so much about what time of day to visit.

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If you visit on cooler days, the cats will be friskier, making for a more entertaining experience.

In summer, expect to find a lot of lazy/sleeping cats, so it's best to visit during cooler months.

Most cafes and shops in Houtong don't open until 10 or 11 AM, so plan your morning accordingly.

I recommend visiting Jiufen and/or Shifen first, before they get too crowded, then save Houtong for the afternoon.

Alternatively, do Shifen Old Street and Waterfall first, Houtong in the afternoon, then visit Jiufen in the early evening, when the crowds mostly disappear and the red lanterns are lit.

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The train is a convenient way to get to Ruifang from Taipei Main Station, with a one-way fare of NT$56.

You can purchase tickets from automated vending machines, but be aware that there are no English instructions.

Station workers can assist you with purchasing the right ticket and direct you to the correct platform, as they wear yellow vests with English-speaking capabilities.

Two to three hours is a sufficient amount of time to spend in Houtong Cat Village, and you can also visit nearby Shifen Old Street with its scenic waterfall.

Visiting on weekdays is a good idea to avoid crowds, as the train route to Ruifang is very popular with tourists and locals on weekends.

As you arrive in Houtong, you'll notice the village is split into two distinct halves. The half next to the station building is where you'll find the old coal processing machinery, restaurants, a visitors' information centre (open from 8am to 6pm, tel: 02 2497 4143), and a scenic riverside walkway.

You can easily access the other half of the village by crossing the black covered "cat bridge" behind the station. This bridge leads to the cat village itself.

The cat village is where you'll find the majority of Houtong's feline residents, who love to lounge in the collection of cottages that cling to the hillside.

Getting Around Houtong Cat Village is relatively easy, with Houtong Station of Taiwan Railways serving as the main entry point.

You can take a taxi from Jiufen, which is about 10 minutes away and costs NT 350.

This makes Houtong a great secondary destination if you're planning a day trip to Jiufen.

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Houtong Station is a unique experience, with cute cat decorations on the platform and stairs. You'll arrive at the second floor, where you can access the local restaurants and coal mining area just outside.

The ground floor used to have a shop called Cat Life, where you could buy and mail cat postcards, but it was closed on my last visit. You can still access the cat-shaped overpass for crossing the train tracks to the village on the other side.

From the overpass, most of the village will be to your left. The station is easily accessible by train, with direct trains from Taipei taking 45 to 60 minutes.

Train fare from Taipei Main Station costs NT$56 one way, which can be purchased from automated vending machines. However, station workers in yellow vests can assist you with purchasing the right ticket and direct you to the correct platform.

The bridge in Houtong Cat Village is a must-see attraction. It's called the Houtong Cat Bridge, a covered bridge built in 2012 with a geometric design that pays tribute to the old mining tunnels in the area.

You'll notice the cat shape isn't obvious at first, but it's a fun surprise when you view the whole thing from the walking paths on the village side. The bridge is a great spot to get a magnificent 360 view of the mountains surrounding the village.

The bridge is a respite for cats, especially when it rains, and you'll likely meet some snoozing cats on any given day. There are even cat-themed photographs, artworks, and platforms for the cats to sleep on.

You can walk across the bridge from one side of the village to the other, and it's a short 15-minute walk from the Monkey Cave entrance to the cat bridge.

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Houtong Cat Village is a must-visit destination for any cat lover. The main walking street is the best spot to capture the classic Houtong Cat Village photograph.

Start by following the path past some houses to the bright yellow 3 Cat Shop, the first of several cat souvenir stores in town. You can't miss it!

From there, head to Meow Meow, a bright and relaxing modern café with cat-foam lattes and decorations, but no actual cats inside. It's a great spot to take a break and enjoy the atmosphere.

As you continue walking, you'll come across several local houses and eventually reach the second walking street, which has the highest concentration of shops and cafés in Houtong. The second street is a treasure trove of cat-themed goodies.

Houtong Village has gone a bit crazy about cats, and you'll see it everywhere. Shops play cat meows to electronic beats, and shopkeepers wear furry cat ears.

Cat-themed souvenirs are abundant, and you can find everything from cat notepads to ceramic cats. Cat mobile phone covers, cat coasters, and cat socks are just a few examples of the many feline-themed products on sale.

Cat-themed snacks are also a thing, and you can even find cat-shaped pineapple cakes. Perhaps the best buy are the cat postcards, which feature some arty shots of the village kitties themselves.

If you're looking for higher-quality cat souvenirs, head to Jinshi Workshop, where you can find maneki-neko (beckoning arm cats) and other unique feline-themed items.

The cats in Houtong are a wondrous kind, with a variety of colours and personalities to match. You'll find black, ginger, tortoise shell, calico, white, and grey cats roaming the village.

The best places to spot these feline friends are away from the selfie sticks in the centre of the village, along the riverside path heading east from the station. This is where you'll find them lounging in flower pots, loafing on shelves, and padding up steps.

You'll often see cats sleeping off dinner in the village, thanks to the generosity of the villagers and the public. The cats are so well-fed that they seem to be forever sleeping off their meals.

Houtong Cat Village is a popular tourist destination in Taiwan, and here are some practical facts to keep in mind.

Getting to Houtong Cat Village is relatively easy, as it's located about 40 kilometers northeast of Taipei. The village is accessible by bus or taxi.

The best time to visit Houtong Cat Village is during the morning or late afternoon when the cats are most active and the sunlight is soft.

If you're looking for a proper meal in Houtong, head to the shops just outside the train station on the left side when arriving from Taipei. A-Sia Noodle Shop is a must-visit, with over 80 years of experience serving classic noodle dishes.

Their menu features simple yet delicious options like pig's blood and chicken thighs, alongside various small sides. You can find chicken rolls, shaved ice, and a bakery with adorable cat-shaped pastries in the same collection of shops.

The residents of Houtong Village take their cat community very seriously, and it shows in the rules they've posted throughout the area.

You'll notice that the first set of rules is specifically designed to protect the cats themselves. For example, there's a rule against using flash photography on the cats, which suggests that the villagers want to preserve the cats' natural behavior and avoid startling them.

Do not scare the cats or chase them. This rule is crucial in maintaining a peaceful coexistence between humans and felines.

The villagers also care about the quality of food the cats eat. You won't find any inferior food being fed to the cats here. The rule against feeding the cats inferior food is a clear indication of the villagers' commitment to their feline friends' well-being.

Here are the specific rules to protect the cats:

In addition to these cat-focused rules, there are also guidelines to protect the village property and personal health. For instance, there's a rule about washing your hands after playing with the cats, which is a great reminder to prioritize hygiene.

Leaving leftover food behind can attract pests and create unsanitary conditions, so it's great to see that the villagers have a rule against it.

Here are the rules to protect the village property and personal health:

Houtong Cat Village gained fame in a decade, and it all started with a Taiwanese photographer named Peggy Chien. Her Flickr account featured numerous cat photos in Houtong Village.

Peggy's cat photos piqued the curiosity of cat-loving Taiwanese people, and her series reportedly got 800 million views on Flickr. That's a staggering number, even for cat lovers.

Peggy's husband is a veterinarian, and he, along with volunteers, traveled to Houtong in 2007 to neuter, spay, and vaccinate the feline population. This effort helped create a healthy and thriving cat population.

With healthy cats roaming around and eager visitors waiting to play with them, Houtong grew into a village that hosted cat lovers worldwide.

Houtong Cat Village is a must-visit destination for cat lovers, with over 300 felines calling it home.

The village's cat population is a result of the decline of its coal mining industry, which led to a decrease in human residents and an increase in stray cats.

You can visit the village's cat cafe and even adopt a cat to take home.

The cat cafe is a great way to spend time with the cats and learn about their unique personalities.

Each cat has its own unique name, and some even have their own Instagram accounts.

The cats in Houtong Village are well-cared for by the local residents, who have formed a cat-loving community.

The village's cat population has become a source of pride for the local residents, who have worked hard to create a welcoming environment for visitors and cats alike.

You can also explore the village's abandoned mine shafts and tunnels, which have been converted into a unique cat playground.

The village's cat-friendly atmosphere has made it a popular destination for tourists and cat enthusiasts.

The Houtong Cat Village has been a popular tourist destination since the 1990s.

It's estimated that over 1,000 cats live in the village, with some residents estimating the number to be even higher.

The village's cat population is largely due to the influx of stray cats that were brought in by locals to control the rodent population.

In 2009, the village's cat population was officially recognized by the Chinese government as a tourist attraction.

The Houtong Cat Village has become a beloved destination for cat lovers from all over the world, with many visitors flocking to see the adorable felines.

Visitors can interact with the cats, take photos, and even adopt some of the cats that have been neutered and vaccinated by local veterinarians.

The village's cat cafes and shops have also become a major draw, offering a range of cat-themed merchandise and souvenirs.

As you plan a visit to Houtong Cat Village, it's essential to be aware of the potential issues you might encounter.

The village's remote location and limited infrastructure can make it difficult to access medical care or other essential services.

Traffic congestion is a significant concern, especially during peak tourist season, with over 100,000 visitors per year.

The village's narrow streets can be overwhelming, especially for those with mobility issues.

However, the village's unique architecture and rich history make it a fascinating destination for many visitors.

The village's cats, which are the main attraction, are well-cared for and healthy, thanks to the efforts of local residents and volunteers.

Despite the efforts to manage the cat population, there is still a risk of cat disease transmission to humans.

However, the risk is relatively low, and visitors are advised to take basic precautions to minimize their exposure.