Houtong Cat Village: Meow-rific Reasons To Visit this Attraction in Taipei

The Houtong Cat Village is an ex-coal mining park that has been transformed into a picturesque settlement and cat haven.

Legend states that Houtong Cat Village has more cats than the human population.

With over 100 felines to a ratio of 30-odd humans manning the shops at this famous place to visit in Taipei, I pictured being swarmed by friendly cats eager for pats.

While the cat population has dropped significantly as most of them seek refuge in cafes and hiding spots, Houtong Cat Village is a must-visit attraction for cat lovers.

From cutesy merchandise that will prance their way into paw parents' hearts, to lazy cats basking under the sun. This ex-coal mining park has been transformed into a picturesque settlement that doubles as a safe cat haven.

About Houtong Cat Village

Entrance to Houtong Cat Village at Ruifang, Taipei.

Located in the district called Ruifang, Houtong Cat Village started as a small coal mining town built during the Japanese occupation.

With a capacity to produce 220,000 tons of coal per year, this leading coal producer in Taiwan provided jobs to more than 6,000 workers.

When the coal industry ended in the 1990s, the workers fled Houtong, leaving behind the mining town with shops, museums, and cats once reared to control the rat population. In no time, the unsterilized cats bred and multiplied.

In 2008, a local cat lover inspired volunteers to care for these abandoned cats in Houtong village.

When photos of adorable cats posted online went viral, the village’s popularity was revived.

For a period, the population of cats here grew as more stray cats were relocated to Houtong for better care and support. Thus, transforming the place into a tourist destination.

Today, most of the cats in Houtong Cat Village have been spayed or neutered as signified by the ear-tip cut.

As you step off the train, you’ll be amazed to find a cat-themed station lined with cat murals and cute 3D decorations.

For cat lovers, the excitement builds as you disembark from the Ruifang station. As you step off the train, you’ll be amazed to find a cat-themed station, complete with murals and signs pointing to the village. The vibes are cozy and welcoming, even on a misty day.

How To Get To Houtong Cat Village

Cat theme shops and cafes filled with feline merchandise line Houtong Cat Village, making it a shopping paradise for paw-parents!

From the Taipei Main Station, ride the northbound train towards Ruifang Station and transfer to the Pingxi line.

The relaxing train ride meanders through the mountainous outskirts and sleepy villages takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

For tourists, this route is highly recommended as it is the simplest and foolproof way to get here with minimal detours.

From Houtong Cat Village, continue your adventure and visit Shifen Waterfall. You can also take part in releasing the floating lanterns and visiting the mystical Shifen district.

If you’re coming from the Ruifang train station, just cross the street and board Bus F808 or 808 to get to the Houtong town area.

Best Time to Visit Houtong Cat Village, Taipei

From our experience, the best time to visit Houtong Cat Village is when the weather is cool and sunny, minus the rain.

As cats are crepuscular creatures that are active during dawn and dusk, the best time to catch them in action is just before they hide away for their mid-morning nap.

Between 9 am to 10.30 am, fine weather ensures maximum sightings of these feline creatures as they can be seen basking in the open.

As the resident cat of a cafe at Houtong Cat Village, you'll see many of them lazing inside the shops,

During rainy days, you’ll catch the cats seeking shelter inside shops, cafes, train stations, and shaded walkways in the village. You’ll also find them under many covered patios and small huts built to shelter them from weather elements.

Once you’ve finished visiting Houtong Cat Village, you can head off to Shifen and Jiufen to make the most of your day.

Alternatively, you may visit Shifen Old Street and the Shifen Waterfall first. And swing by Houtong in the afternoon, followed by Jiufen in the evening. Jiufen’s night scenes are simply breathtaking with lantern-lined streets, quaint tea houses, and charming cafes ripe for discovery!

Why are there so many cats in Houtong Cat Village, Taiwan?

This distinguish gentleman is one among the many non-pedigree cats given a new leash of life and care at Houtong Cat Village.

Originally a coal mining village, the miners at Houtong brought in cats to control the rat population.

After they left as the industry declined, the cats that were left behind multiplied.

At the peak of breeding, there were over 300 cats in this tiny town! Thanks to the fervent effort by a local cat lover who gathered help from a community of volunteers, the cats were trapped, neutered, and released back to the village.

Thus controlling the population of cats to a level that allows them to thrive and live fulfilling lives.

How much time to spend at Houtong Cat village?

If you choose not to eat at the cafes here and take scenic photos of this charming village while mingling with the cats, then 1 hour would suffice.

Located at the back of Ruifang trains station, the Houtong Coal Mine Park is an engaging museum that showcases the history of coal mining & the hardship the miners endured in the course of work. Picture courtesy of Touie G from Google.

However, if you choose to dine in or visit the Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park, allocate 2 hours to cover the entire place.

To get to the Houtong Coal Mine Park, you’ll have to cross the main bridge (also known as Cat Bridge) back to the train station and take the stairs all the way to the ground floor.

Cross over to the small cat souvenir shops where there are some eateries and you’ll see a Japanese-era building. This building now houses a small free museum called the Vision

Hall and an information center.

The museum flaunts miniature dioramas on a scale of 1/40 of what the original coal warehouse looked like.

Where to eat at Houtong at Village Taipei

Houtong Cat Village is lined with cat-themed cafes where you can grab a quick snack, a warm drink, or refreshing ice cream on a hot day.

You’ll find these eateries at the entrance of the village, and several more cafes located in the hilly area.

The cafes here are not renowned for their food, nor do they measure up as a full meal but rather as fillers in between meals. Besides, they provide a good respite from the walking should you need to rest and fuel up.

Entrance Fee to Houtong Cat Village

There is no fee charged to enter the Houtong Cat Village.

Conclusion

Nestled on the hills with rolling mountains painting a picturesque backdrop, the Houtong Cat Village is a pet lover’s magnet, especially if you love felines.

With random cats lining the sidewalks greeting guests right from Ruifang train station, this place offers one of the best opportunities to pat a cat without getting scratched.

Most of them are accustomed to humans, with some friendlier and more camera-ready, while others will shy away from human attention.

Even if you’re not a hardcore cat lover, Houtong Cat Village is still one of Taipei’s tourist attractions worth checking for its peaceful atmosphere and postcard-perfect scenery.