Houtong Cat Village from Taipei: A Unique Day Trip Experience

Houtong Cat Village from Taipei is a unique day trip experience that's a must-visit for cat lovers and adventurous travelers alike.

Located about an hour outside of Taipei, Houtong Village is a former coal mining town that has been transformed into a feline paradise.

With over 1,000 cats calling the village home, you'll have plenty of opportunities to snap photos and interact with these adorable animals.

Houtong Village is easily accessible by train, with the Banping Street Station being just a short walk from the village.

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Taipei is a fantastic city to explore, with a rich cultural heritage and delicious food scene. It's also a great base to visit the Houtong Cat Village, which is located just a short train ride away.

Getting to Taipei is relatively easy, with Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) serving as the main entry point for international flights. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the city center, which takes around 45 minutes to an hour.

Taipei has a subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters, making it a great destination to visit year-round.

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Houtong's laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to visit at any time of day, but cooler days are ideal for spotting friskier cats.

The tunnel is always bustling with cats, regardless of the weather. Rainy days won't dampen your feline-watching experience.

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

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Getting to Taipei is relatively easy, but be aware that the train line to Houtong Cat Village is very popular, especially on weekends.

You can take a northbound train to Ruifang, which costs NT$56 one way from Taipei Main Station. Automated vending machines sell tickets, but station workers wearing yellow vests can assist with purchasing the right ticket and direct you to the correct platform.

Spending two to three hours in Houtong Cat Village is sufficient, and you can also visit nearby Shifen Old Street with its scenic waterfall.

The train ride to Houtong Station takes about 1.5 hours, and you can take the train on platform 4 northbound on the Yilan Line.

Here's a quick summary to help you plan your trip:

Getting to Taipei by train is a convenient option. You can take a direct 'fast local' train from Taipei station to Houtong station in just 47 minutes.

The train fare from Taipei station to Houtong station is 56 TWD one way, and you can pay with an EasyCard. Songshan station is another option, with a train fare of 46 TWD one way.

If you're planning to visit Houtong Cat Village, consider taking the train from Taipei or Jiufen. The train ride is a great way to experience the local scenery and prepare for your feline adventure.

Here are the train details from Taipei to Houtong station:

You can take a train to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei, with the journey taking around 47 minutes from Taipei station.

The train station is easily accessible by train from Taipei or Jiufen, and you can use your EasyCard to pay for your fare.

The 'Fast Local' train is the only one that stops at Houtong, and it has free seating - just swipe your EasyCard to ride.

There are no reserved seats on this train, so be prepared to find a seat when you board.

You can also take a bus to get to Houtong, by catching the bus 808 or F808 from the train station.

Here's a brief summary of the train options from Taipei:

The train station itself is worth a visit, with cat-friendly hangouts, scratching posts, and even a huge plastic figurine depicting a cat with a station master's hat.

The railway cat bridge is the main indoor feeding area, with lots of cat food bowls and big dollops of cat biscuits.

You'll also find free toilets, so you don't need to go in the cat litter trays.

You'll arrive at the second floor of Houtong Station, where you can access the local restaurants and coal mining area just outside.

To get to the cat village, swipe out of the train station, turn right, and take the stairs up to the 3rd floor. From there, you can access the cat-shaped overpass for crossing the train tracks to the village on the other side.

The railway cat bridge appears to be the main indoor feeding area, with lots of cat food bowls and big dollops of cat biscuits.

You'll also find free toilets on the ground floor area of Houtong Station, so you don't need to go in the cat litter trays.

To explore the surrounding area, head across the beautiful river on the huge wooden suspension bridge to see where the old mines used to be – you'll also find two large cat models here looking out over the mountains.

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To get to Houtong Cat Village, take the train from Taipei and get off at Houtong Station. If you're short on time, skip the coal mining side and take the overpass directly to the cat village.

Once you arrive at Houtong Station, you'll be greeted by cats right away. To head into the cat village itself, go back to the station and take the cat footbridge across the railway tracks to explore the village.

The cat village is full of adorable cat models and cat-themed cafes, including the Hide and Seek Cafe, which is a must-visit for cat lovers. At Hide and Seek Cafe, you can enjoy adorable themed treats like cat puffs and cat-shaped mocha smoothies.

The cat village is a cat lover's paradise, with cats lounging around every nook and cranny. You can freely walk around the paved walkways and see the many cats looking for pets or just wanting to be left alone to sleep.

To get to Houtong Cat Village, take the train to Houtong Station and exit the gates.

Head right up the stairs toward the Cat Bridge, a long walkway that crosses the tracks with fun walkways for the cats and places for both cats and humans to sit and spend time together.

Cross the bridge and follow the sign to see more cats. You'll find paved walkways where many cats lounge around or look for pets.

If you're limited on time, skip the coal mining side and take the overpass directly to the cat village. This will save you some walking time.

Once you're in the village, look out for directional signs pointing left towards the main cat-themed area, the Houtong Cat Corridor. This is where you'll find the cat-themed cafes and shops.

The Cat Corridor has about 5-6 cafes on a small stretch, each with their own unique dishes, many kitty themed. Select one that looks yummy based on their menus hanging outside.

You can explore the village by wandering aimlessly around the various hillside walkways and laneways, discovering cats in every nook and cranny. Some cats want attention, while others just want to be left alone to sleep.

Visiting Houtong Cat Village? Be sure to follow the rules to ensure a harmonious coexistence with the feline residents. The villagers take their cat care very seriously.

The Huatong Village Cat Club has posted clear rules to protect both the cats and the village. These rules include not scaring or chasing the cats, and not using flash photography on them.

The rules also emphasize the importance of cleanliness and respect for the village property. You'll notice cat shelters all over the village, a testament to the care and attention the residents give to their feline friends.

Here are the key rules to keep in mind:

By following these simple rules, you'll be able to enjoy the company of the cats and the charm of the Houtong Cat Village.

If you're planning a trip to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei, you have the option of visiting the village as part of a guided tour that picks you up from Taipei.

Some tours, like the Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen food and tea tasting tour from Taipei, can be booked online and include a visit to the village.

You can also join a day tour that includes multiple destinations, such as Yeliou, Jinguashih, Juifen, and Shifen, which can be booked online as well.

If you're short on time or prefer a hassle-free experience, you can visit Houtong Cat Village as part of a guided tour from Taipei.

Some tours offer a convenient pick-up service from Taipei, making it easy to explore the village without worrying about transportation.

You can book online tours that include Houtong, such as the Houtong Cat Village & Jiufen food and tea tasting tour from Taipei, or the Yeliou, Jinguashih, Juifen and Shifen join day tour.

There are various tour options available, so you can choose the one that suits your interests and schedule.

Keep in mind that Houtong Cat Village itself doesn't have a wide range of activities, but it's a charming destination worth visiting.

If you're looking for a proper meal in Houtong, head to A-Sia Noodle Shop, a local favorite that's been running for over 80 years.

The shop has a simple but classic menu featuring noodle dishes, pig's blood, chicken thighs, and small sides. The owner is loud and friendly, and you can spot the English menu on the wall.

You can also find chicken rolls, shaved ice, and a bakery with cat-shaped pastries in the same collection of shops near the train station.

On the cat village side, there are at least a dozen cafés serving cat foam lattes and pastries shaped like paws or cat faces.

If you're planning to visit Houtong Cat Village from Taipei, you'll want to consider how much time you have to spare.

Spending 2-3 hours in the village should give you ample time to mingle with the cats, explore the village, and visit the shrine relic and museum if you're interested.

This duration should also allow you to take in the unique atmosphere of the village and perhaps even grab a snack or drink at one of the local cafes.

Houtong Cat Village is a fun day trip from Taipei and easy to reach by train. You can buy a Pingxi Line day pass from Houtong Station for 80 TWD and make a 'purr-fect' day of it.

The village has embraced its status as a cat haven, with cat baskets and huts set up in various places, including a sheltered section by the river. This suggests that the locals are enthusiastic about the cats and the tourism they bring.

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Roughly half of the cats we saw had collars, especially on the upper levels by the shops and cafes, so it's possible that some have homes while others are strays. This mixed bag of cats adds to the village's charm.

If you're expecting a large, clean, and neat cat cafe like Ximending, you might be disappointed. But if you go with the understanding that this is a real working place, you should have a fun time exploring.