Houtong Cat Village in Taiwan – A Purr-fect Day Trip from Taipei (2026)!

Did you know there’s a place in Taiwan entirely dedicated to cats? 

It’s called Houtong Cat Village, and it’s the purr-fect day trip from Taipei (sorry), as the journey takes just under an hour.

You’ll find cats in abundance all over this village, lazing around and enjoying all the attention.

There are also cat-themed murals, statues, gift shops, and cat cafés in abundance.

It’s a place you won’t fur-get in a hurry and the ideal attraction for cat lovers. 

Here’s a complete guide to Houtong Cat Village, with all the kitty-themed things you can do there!

What is Houtong Cat Village?

Houtong (猴硐) was primarily a mining area in Taiwan, and it was originally named after wild monkeys that inhabited the local caves.

After the industry collapsed in the 1990s, it slowly declined into a ghost town, and most of the residents moved away…save for the cats. 

Slowly but surely, more furry felines moved into the empty buildings, and it quickly became a massive cat colony. 

But there was no one to care for them. So, a small group of volunteers came in to spay, neuter and vaccinate the cats to keep them healthy.

In 2008, Peggy Chen started sharing their cat care project online with photos of the adorable furry patients.

It quickly became a media sensation, and visitors descended on the village to meet the kitties. 

Today, it is affectionately named Houtong Cat Village, and the residents have happily embraced the new theme!

It’s certainly a unique place that makes for a paw-some adventure in Taiwan, and you must add it to your travel plans. 

How to get to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei

Houtong Cat Village is located in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City. It’s easy to visit Houtong by train, and the journey will take around an hour.

You can take a local train from Taipei Main Station or Shongshan Station straight to Houtong Station in 55 minutes.

Also, can take a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station. Then, take the Pingxi Line to Houtong Station.

This is what I did as part of a day trip to Shifen Waterfall. The trains on the Pingxi Line also have a historic charm with circular partitions.

But they can also be heaving with people as services are limited. So, keep this in mind.

Finally, you can travel here from Jiufen by taking bus 827 to Ruifang Station and then the Pingxi Line to Houtong.

Pingxi Line Pass

If you’re going to be travelling on the Pingxi Line to visit Houtong, I highly recommend purchasing a Pingxi Line Pass from Ruifang Station.

It’s a full-day ticket that provides unlimited rides on the Pingxi Line that day and can save you time and money. It costs $80 NTD (£1.80 / $2.50).

There are lots of amazing stops on this railway line worth visiting beyond Houtong Cat Village. 

You can stop by Pingxi Old Street, Shifen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall and Jingtong.

Why not take a guided tour?

If you’re not driving in Taiwan and you’d rather not organise public transport, there are a few guided tours you can take to Houtong from Taipei.

Here are some of the top recommended options;

Are the cats well cared for? 

When it comes to ethical tourism, it’s important to ensure that animals are well cared for and aren’t being abused or exploited.

Believe me, the cats in this village are worshipped like gods and are pampered beyond measure! Most had collars.

There are cat boxes, water bowls and cat kibble available everywhere in the village for the furry felines who choose to make a home here.

You’ll likely see them eating, grooming or sleeping just like you would at home. They roam free and aren’t forced to do anything but exist.

They are also petted all day by their owners and visitors. So, yes, the cats are treated very well here, and fed almost too well. Don’t worry.

Just remember to be gentle, avoid using flash photography, don’t feed them and respect them in their home. 

Things to do in Houtong Cat Village

Houtong is a small village that worships cats, but there are plenty of things to do here that make it worth visiting. 

It’s a dream come true for cat lovers as you can find cat-themed attractions around every corner.

Here are all the best things to do in Houtong Cat Village.

1. Houtong Train Station cats

As soon as you arrive at Houtong Station, your kitty adventure begins, as there are cat statues and decorations all over the station.

In the waiting room, you’ll find two cats who make a home here called Furbo and Miaow.

On my visit, one of them was snoozing away on a coffee machine. It was so sweet.

2. Buy a Cat Pineapple Cake

As soon as you exit the station, you’ll find some confectionary shops serving cat-themed sweet treats.

Annie’s Bakery is the first shop you’ll see, which sells the famous Cat Molding Pineapple Cake (煤之鄉).

It’s a famous snack in Houtong, and this tart but tasty treat is served either in cat or paw shapes. 

It’s even served to you in a cat-shaped paper bag. If you’re collecting ink stamps in Taiwan, they have a stamp station inside. 

3. Wander to find furry felines

I’m not kidding when I say that you will find cats everywhere in this gorgeous village. 

It’s estimated that there are over 200 cats, which far outnumber the human residents.

You’ll find cats in all colours lazing around, eating, grooming and relishing the attention throughout the day.

Everywhere you look, you’ll most likely see a furry friend. It’s a cat haven. 

4. Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park 

Houtong was previously a prosperous coal mining community, and many of the old buildings have now been repurposed.

You’ll find most of them in the Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park, which is a museum you can visit on a guided tour.

If that’s not your cup of tea, it’s worth stopping by the visitor centre, which is also a vision gallery and café.

This is also a great place to meet many of the local cats who loiter in the main courtyard. 

You can also see them near the cat coal mine statue, the food bowl shed, or lazing on the grass. 

There are also some gift shops in this area selling cat-themed merchandise.

5. Houtong Cat Bridge 

There are two sides to Houtong Cat Village on either side of the railway tracks.

After you’ve explored the Coal Mine Park, you can cross the Houtong Cat Bridge to the Cat Corridor filled with more shops and cafés.

The long metal footbridge is actually shaped like a giant cat, with pointy ears. There’s even a tail-like ramp and paw prints.

The interior design is also mesmerising and, of course, there are cute cat displays to spot in the tunnel. You may also spot some snoozing cats. 

6. Explore Cat Corridor

The Cat Corridor is an elevated section of Houtong Cat Village that’s a long lane filled with cat-themed boutiques and cafés.

The views over the valley are incredible, and you’ll know you’ve arrived due to the plethora of cat statues and colourful street art.

At either end of the lane, you’ll find cat boxes where the kitties eat and sleep. You’ll most likely see them snoozing on rooftops and walls. 

There are also lots of cats that gather around the cat community centre where you can get great views of the railway tracks and arched bridge.

7. Buy cat souvenirs 

Of course, you can find an abundance of cat-themed souvenirs in Houtong, and one of the best places to shop is Jinshi workshop.

You can find a huge cat shrine outside, and inside there is every type of kitty souvenir you could think of.

There are cat trinkets, umbrellas, bags, magnets and talismans. Plus, a lot of Maneki-neko (beckoning cat).

You can even send kitty mail; there’s a shop called Three Cat Shop that will stamp a postcard for you. 

8. Visit a Houtong Cat Café

There are plenty of cat-themed cafés in the Cat Corridor lined up in a row. So, you can take your pick. Some have furry friends to meet. 

Unfortunately, as I visited quite late in the day, I was only able to get a takeaway drink.

I didn’t complain as my fizzy grape soda came in the cutest cat-shaped bottle.

Here are some of the other Houtong cat cafés:

• Meow Cha (where I got my cat bottle drink)
• 229
• Hide & Seek Café (top rated)
• Niao A Ben Zhai

9. Find Cat Statues & Kitty Murals 

Everywhere you look in the Cat Corridor, you’ll find colourful cat murals, pottery, signs and artwork.

There are also giant cat statues that make a great photo opportunity. It’s a kitty lover’s dream come true.

My favourite was the ‘Cat Piano Staircase’ (貓咪壁畫鋼琴樓梯) where you could pose with a cat statue and colourful kitty mural.

10. Admire Ruifang Valley  

Beyond the village being a cat kingdom, it’s also tucked away in a stunning area of the Ruifang Valley.

Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by lush mountain peaks with panoramic views of the Keelung River.

If you can turn your head away from all the distracting furry friends, you can explore some of the enchanting natural landscapes and attractions. 

There are also plenty of easy hiking trails found in this valley if you’re feeling adventurous.

Is Houtong Cat Village worth visiting? 

Undoubtedly, yes. Houtong Cat Village is a unique travel destination in Taiwan with an abundance of furry felines. What could be better?

As a huge cat lover with two pet cats of my own, I was obsessed with this place and couldn’t stop cooing the whole time. 

If you also love cats, then you’ll be in your element as there are so many kitty things to do in this beautiful village set in the enchanting Ruifang Valley.

Don’t skip this cat paradise near Taipei; it’s a paw-some adventure you won’t fur-get in a hurry (sorry, I’m out of control with these cheesy puns).

Opening hours and entry fees

It’s completely free to visit the Taiwan Cat Village, but I would always have some money prepared for gift shops and cafés.

Donations are also appreciated for the upkeep of the village and the hoards of cats that make a home here. 

Houtong is also open 24 hours a day, but most of the gift shops and cafés will have set opening hours from 10 am to 5 or 6 pm. 

When is the best time to visit? 

As Houtong is a bit of a hidden gem in Taiwan, it wasn’t overly busy, which made a refreshing change.

It makes an ideal day trip from Taipei, where you can escape the crowds and bustling streets of the city centre.

I’d say you’d be fine to stop by any time during their shop and café opening hours. 

If you love cats, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time as they will be lounging here all day.

How long do you need to visit?

Houtong Cat Village is not an overly large place; you can visit comfortably with just 1-2 hours. 

Of course, you could spend a lot longer here if you love being surrounded by cute cats. 

I recommend combining a visit with other attractions on the Pingxi Line to make the most of your Taipei Day Trip. 

Remember, you can buy a Pingxi Line Pass that allows unlimited rides for the day and only costs $80 NTD (£1.80 / $2.50).

Discover amazing attractions nearby 

After you’ve finished visiting Houtong Cat Village, there are plenty of things to do in the nearby area.

Yehliu Geopark is one of the most breathtaking attractions in Taiwan, with a wealth of interesting rock formations by the sea shaped by nature.

The peninsula covers 1,700 metres beside Datun Mountain, and the most famous feature to see is the Queen’s Head. 

I also enjoyed some time spent at Heping Island Geopark, which had a fraction of the crowds. 

Jiufen looks like something from a fairytale with its teahouses and lanterns overlooking the coast. It’s known as the Spirited Away village.

Or, you could explore some amazing attractions found on the Pingxi Railway Line.

Highlights include Shifen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, Pingxi Old Street and Jingtong. It makes for a seriously paw-some adventure.

Read more of my Taiwan Travel Guides

Jiufen – visit the Spirited Away village of Taiwan

How to Visit Shifen Waterfall in Taiwan

Is the Rainbow Village in Taichung worth visiting?

Visit a Hello Kitty 7-11 in Taiwan

Visit a Snoopy 7-Eleven in Taiwan

Bugcat Capoo Foam Cat Café in Taichung

Eva Air Hello Kitty Flight – Ride a Sanrio Jet 

How to visit Xitou Monster Village in Taiwan

Save Houtong Cat Village for later