Houtong Cat Village: How to Visit from Taipei (2026)

Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村) is one of Taipei’s quirkiest day trip destinations – a former coal-mining town in New Taipei City that has reinvented itself as a sanctuary for 100+ stray cats. The cats roam freely throughout the village, lounging on shop counters, sleeping on the train station platforms, and posing for tourist photos. A 50-minute train ride from Taipei gets you to the village. This 2026 guide of Houtong Cat Village covers how to get there, what to expect, the best photo spots, the surrounding coal-mining museum, and how to combine the visit with Pingxi or Jiufen for a fuller day.

What Is Houtong Cat Village?

Houtong (sometimes spelled “Houdong”) is a small village in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, about 50 km east of central Taipei. Originally a coal-mining town that thrived from the 1920s to the 1980s, the village population shrank dramatically when mining ended. In 2008, a local cat lover began documenting the village’s stray cat population on social media, which went viral. The village became a cat sanctuary, with local residents and visiting volunteers caring for an estimated 100+ stray cats that live throughout the streets, the train station, and the abandoned coal-mining infrastructure.

Today Houtong Cat Village is a recognized tourist destination featuring:

Cat-themed cafes, shops, and souvenir stalls throughout the village.

A historic train station now decorated as a cat-themed welcome center.

Restored colonial-era coal-mining buildings, walkways, and a small museum.

The “Cat Bridge” – a pedestrian bridge styled after a cat with cat-themed murals.

Hiking trails to surrounding viewpoints (Houtong Mountain).

The cats are not just a tourist attraction – they are the village’s identity. Most cats are friendly, well-fed, and accustomed to human visitors. Some are sleepy and let you photograph them; others are skittish.

How to Get to Houtong from Taipei

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) train is the easiest way:

Step 1: Go to Taipei Main Station. Buy a TRA train ticket to Houtong Station. Cost NT$50-90 depending on service type. Most travelers use a Local (NT$50) or Chu-Kuang (NT$80) train.

Step 2: Travel time 50-70 minutes from Taipei. Trains run hourly throughout the day.

Step 3: Get off at Houtong Station. The cat village starts immediately at the station – cats wander on the platforms.

Alternative: Take a TRA train to Ruifang (the larger nearby station) and a short shuttle (5-10 minutes) to Houtong. Useful if you are combining Houtong with Jiufen or Pingxi.

Pingxi Day Pass: The NT$80 one-day pass covers TRA Ruifang to Pingxi Line trains plus shuttle to Jiufen. Houtong is on the same line – useful if visiting multiple destinations.

Driving: 60-75 minutes from central Taipei via Highway 5 and local roads. Limited parking in Houtong itself – park in Ruifang and take the shuttle.

Klook/KKDay tours: Multiple packages combine Houtong with Jiufen and Shifen for NT$1,500-2,500 per person.

What to See and Do at Houtong

The Cats

The main attraction. Cats live throughout the village. Best spots to see them:

Train station and platform: Cats lounge on benches, ticket counters, and platform ledges. Photogenic.

Cat Bridge: A pedestrian bridge over the train tracks decorated as a giant cat. Plenty of resident cats use it.

Main village street: Cats sleep on shop counters, sun themselves on doorsteps, and beg for petting.

Cat House (Cat Mansion): An indoor cafe with multiple resident cats. Cat food and pet supplies sold. Entry NT$200-300 includes a snack and cat interaction.

Cat Museum: Small museum about the village’s cat sanctuary history and the cats themselves. Free entry.

Coal-Mining Heritage

Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park: Restored buildings from the coal-mining era. Free entry. Educational displays on the mining history.

Mining Bridges and Walkways: Original infrastructure from the coal-mining era, restored as walking paths. Photogenic.

Houtong Mountain Trail: 1-2 hour hike to surrounding hills with views over the village and the Keelung River. Moderate difficulty.

Cafes and Shops

The village has 10-15 cat-themed cafes and shops:

Cat Town Cafe: Sit-down cafe with resident cats. Light meals NT$200-400.

Various cat shops: Stuffed animals, cat-themed snacks (pineapple cake with cat designs), cat-shaped souvenirs.

Coffee and ice cream: Several small cafes and ice cream shops along the main street.

Best Time to Visit Houtong

Best time of day: Late morning to mid-afternoon (10am-3pm). Cats are most active and visible. Many cats sleep in late morning.

Weather: Houtong gets significant rain (similar to Keelung climate). Check the forecast. October-November is the driest period.

Crowds: Weekends are crowded. Weekdays are dramatically quieter and better for photos.

Cat moods: Cats are most active after their morning feeding (around 9-10am). They tend to sleep more in the early afternoon. Some cats are skittish on busy weekends.

Avoid: Heavy rain days. Cats hide; many shops close.

Best visit: Weekday morning around 10am. Spend 2-3 hours at the village, then continue to Jiufen or Pingxi for afternoon.

Combining Houtong With Other Day Trips

Houtong is on the Pingxi-Ruifang area and combines well with other destinations:

Houtong + Jiufen

The most popular combination. From Houtong, take the shuttle to Jiufen (15-20 minutes). Spend afternoon at Jiufen’s lantern-lit streets and view of the northeast coast. See our Jiufen Day Trip guide.

Houtong + Shifen + Pingxi

The classic “Pingxi Line train” route. Houtong is on the same line. Use the Pingxi Day Pass (NT$80) to cover Houtong, Shifen Waterfall, and Pingxi lantern release. Full day with multiple cat photo stops.

Houtong + Keelung

Less popular but workable. After Houtong, take the train to Keelung for an evening at Miaokou Night Market.

Houtong + Jinguashi (Golden Waterfall)

Less common – Jinguashi is the old gold-mining town near Jiufen. Combine with Jiufen for a full day exploring the mining heritage of northeast Taiwan.

Sample Houtong Cat Village Itinerary

Half-day Houtong-only visit:

9am: TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Houtong (50-70 min).

10am: Arrive Houtong. Walk through station, photograph cats.

10:30am: Visit Cat Mansion and Cat Museum.

11:30am: Walk to Cat Bridge and explore the main village street.

12:30pm: Lunch at a village cafe (NT$200-400).

1:30pm: Visit Coal Mine Ecological Park and the heritage buildings.

2:30pm: Final cat photos, souvenir shopping.

3pm: Train back to Taipei (or continue to Jiufen/Shifen for afternoon).

Total cost per person: NT$200-400 (transport) + NT$300-600 (food and entry) = NT$500-1,000.

Full-day combination (Houtong + Jiufen + Shifen):

8am: TRA to Houtong.

9am-12pm: Houtong Cat Village.

12pm: Train to Ruifang, then bus to Shifen.

1pm-3pm: Shifen Waterfall and Old Street lantern release.

3:30pm: Bus to Jiufen.

4pm-7pm: Jiufen Old Street and viewpoints (sunset views).

7pm: Return to Ruifang, train back to Taipei.

Total cost per person: NT$500-1,200.

Etiquette and Tips at Houtong

Cat handling: Most cats are friendly and accept petting. Always let the cat approach you first. Do not pick up cats; do not chase or corner them. Some cats are skittish and signal they want to be left alone.

Photography: Generally allowed throughout. No flash photography with cats – it stresses them. Quiet movement gets better photos.

Feeding: Do not feed the cats human food. Special cat food is sold at the village shops if you want to feed them appropriately. Most cats are well-fed by volunteers; you do not need to feed them.

Allergies: Cats are everywhere. If you have severe cat allergies, this is not the destination for you. Mild allergies are manageable with antihistamines.

Children: Excellent for kids who like animals. Teach them not to chase cats. Stroller-friendly main streets.

Public restrooms: Small restroom near the train station. Limited; use before arriving if possible.

Cash: Many small shops and cafes are cash-only. Bring NT$500-1,000.

Weather protection: Houtong gets rain. Bring an umbrella year-round.

Souvenirs: Cat-themed pineapple cakes, postcards, and stuffed animals make excellent souvenirs. NT$150-500 per item.

Cat sanctuary support: Donations to the cat sanctuary supported small shops and volunteer organizations. The village’s cat care depends on visitor support.

What to Expect at Houtong

Houtong is small. The main village area is walkable in 30-45 minutes if you do not stop for cats or food. Most visitors spend 2-3 hours total at the village.

The cats are the main attraction but not the only one. The coal-mining heritage, the small museums, and the surrounding hiking provide context and additional content. Pure cat lovers will spend their time at the cat-themed cafes and the Cat Bridge; history-focused visitors will spend more time at the coal-mining park.

The atmosphere is quiet and bucolic. No nightclubs, no shopping malls, no major restaurants. Family-friendly throughout. Most visitors leave by mid-afternoon.

The cats are sometimes the surprise of a Taiwan trip – many tourists arrive thinking “this will be silly” and leave genuinely charmed by the village’s character.

Related Taipei guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei?

Take a TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Houtong Station. Travel time 50-70 minutes. Cost NT$50-90 depending on service. Trains run hourly. Houtong Station is at the entrance to the cat village.

How long should I spend at Houtong Cat Village?

2-3 hours covers the main attractions including cats, museums, and coal-mining park. Combine with Jiufen or Shifen for a full-day trip. Half-day visits work for cat-focused travelers; full-day combinations for travelers wanting multiple destinations.

Are the cats at Houtong friendly?

Most cats are friendly and accustomed to humans. Some are skittish. Always let cats approach you; do not chase or corner them. Photography is allowed but no flash. Cat food for purchase if you want to feed them appropriately.

Is Houtong Cat Village free?

Entry to the village is free. Specific attractions like Cat Mansion (NT$200-300) and various cafes charge for entry or food. Total cost for a visit is NT$500-1,000 per person including transport, food, and entry to specific spots.

What is the best way to see Houtong’s cats?

Visit in the late morning (10-12am) when cats are most active. Walk through the train station, Cat Mansion, Cat Bridge, and the main village street. Cats sleep on shop counters and sunny doorsteps. Quiet patience gets the best cat interactions.

Can I combine Houtong with Jiufen and Shifen?

Yes – all three are on the Pingxi-Ruifang area. The standard combination: morning at Houtong, midday at Shifen (waterfall and lantern release), afternoon at Jiufen (Old Street and sunset views). Total transit between destinations is 30-45 minutes each.

Is Houtong Cat Village suitable for kids?

Yes. Children who like animals love it. The village is small, stroller-friendly on main streets, and there are several cat-themed activities specifically for kids. Teach kids not to chase or grab cats. Most cats tolerate children well.

Are there food options at Houtong?

Yes – 10-15 cat-themed cafes and small restaurants along the main village street. NT$200-400 per meal. Lunch options range from rice plates and noodle dishes to coffee and dessert. Cat-themed pineapple cakes are popular souvenirs (NT$200-400 per box).

What is the cat sanctuary at Houtong?

An informal sanctuary supported by volunteers, local residents, and shop owners. Cats are fed regularly, vaccinated, and given veterinary care. The sanctuary depends on visitor support – donations to local shops, cat food purchases, and respectful tourism.

Is Houtong worth visiting?

Yes, if you like cats or want an off-the-beaten-path Taiwan day trip. The combination of cat-themed tourism, coal-mining heritage, and small-village atmosphere is genuinely unique. Less famous than Jiufen but more distinctive. Pair with Jiufen and Shifen for the best full-day northeast Taipei combination.

The Bottom Line

Houtong Cat Village offers one of Taipei’s most distinctive day trip experiences – a former coal-mining town reinvented as a sanctuary for 100+ friendly stray cats. Take the TRA train from Taipei Main Station, spend 2-3 hours at the village, and combine with Jiufen or Shifen for a complete northeast Taiwan day. Total cost under NT$1,000 per person. Whether you are a cat lover, a quirky-tourism enthusiast, or just want a different kind of Taiwan day trip, Houtong is one of the most charming small destinations in the country.