Ruifang, Taiwan
Houtong Cat Village
A former mining town turned beloved cat village near Taipei.
Before you go
- Midday can feel quieter for cats; late afternoon is often livelier.
About Houtong Cat Village
A former coal-mining town near Taipei that reinvented itself as a cat village. Cat-themed cafes, bridges, and friendly resident cats make it an easy and popular day trip by train.
Houtong Cat Village Walking Map
Open in Google MapsThis walking map covers Houtong Station, the Cat Bridge, the Cat Village, and the area's coal-mining heritage. Locations are approximate. Please check the latest opening hours and access information before your visit.
Houtong Cat Village Spot Guide
How to get to Houtong Cat Village
From Taipei Main Station, take a Taiwan Railway (TRA) train toward Yilan / the east coast and get off at Houtong Station (about 1 hour). Some services require a change at Ruifang. The cat village is centered around the station and the Cat Bridge nearby.
Return trains can be less frequent outside peak hours — check the timetable before you go. The village has short hills and uneven paths, so comfortable walking shoes help.
- Start at Taipei Main Station and take a Taiwan Railway (TRA) train toward Yilan / the east coast.
- Ride to Houtong Station (about 1 hour, depending on the train). Some services may require a change at Ruifang.
- Exit Houtong Station and begin around the pedestrian bridge and plaza near the tracks — this is the heart of the cat village.
- Walk both sides of the station area. Cats gather in plazas, along hillside paths, and near shops and cafes.
Visited September 2023
I went to Houtong Cat Village in Ruifang, New Taipei, without expecting much — just hoping to take a few photos of cats. But seeing so many of them napping quietly in the plaza, I was really glad I'd come. I've written about it in more detail on the blog.
Return visit · May 2026
This time I walked through the village recording the cats I met with MeowSnap, the iPhone app I released last year. Even in the same place, the way I met cats felt a little different. More details are on the blog.
Related articles
Nearby cat spots
Xiahai Temple Cats (Dihua Street)
Taipei, Taiwan
A historic temple on Dihua Street where Hide met cats during a morning walk.
Sanchong Yitian Temple (Taiwan Cat Temple)
Sanchong, Taiwan
A Mazu temple in Sanchong, New Taipei, where temple cats live among worshippers — often called Taiwan’s “cat temple.”
Yangming Old Tree Plaza Cats
Yilan, Taiwan
A quiet plaza in Yilan where Hide met cats around old trees while walking.
Found a cat spot you'd like to visit?
With MeowSnap, every cat you meet —
on a trip or around the corner —
becomes a pin on your own cat map.
Free to use. Give it a try.
