Taiwan Cat Village: How a Tiny Mining Town Became a Feline Paradise

Tucked away in the misty mountains of New Taipei City, there’s a former coal mining village that’s been completely taken over by cats. Welcome to Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村) — one of the most unexpectedly delightful destinations in all of Taiwan.

From Abandoned Mining Town to Cat Paradise

Houtong was once a thriving coal mining community, but when the mines closed in the 1990s, the village’s population dwindled to a handful of elderly residents. Then the cats moved in. Stray cats found the quiet, car-free streets and warm concrete perfect for lounging, and the remaining villagers started feeding them.

By 2008, a local cat lover started a TNR (trap-neuter-return) program and shared photos online. The internet did its thing, and Houtong exploded in popularity. CNN named it one of the top six cat destinations in the world in 2013, and the rest is history.

What to Expect When You Visit

Today, around 200 cats roam freely through Houtong’s narrow alleys, lounging on walls, napping in doorways, and occasionally posing for photos like the seasoned celebrities they are. The village has leaned fully into its feline identity — you’ll find cat-shaped bridges, cat-themed murals, and even cat-ear benches throughout the streets.

The best part? Getting there is ridiculously easy. Houtong has its own TRA train station on the Yilan Line, just 40 minutes from Taipei Main Station. Step off the train, cross the cat-themed pedestrian bridge, and you’re in cat paradise. If you’re planning your rail journey, check out our complete Taiwan train map guide for all the routes.

Cat Village Etiquette

A few quick rules to keep both you and the cats happy:

• Don’t pick up the cats — let them come to you
• No flash photography — it startles them
• Don’t feed them human food — volunteers manage their diet
• Watch your step — cats nap in unexpected places

Beyond Houtong

While Houtong is the most famous, Taiwan has several other cat-friendly spots. Jinguashi, just a short bus ride away, has its own colony of friendly strays near the Gold Museum. And if you’re exploring more of the island’s hidden gems, our Taiwan travel itinerary guide can help you plan the perfect trip.

Taiwan’s cat villages perfectly capture something special about this island — the way communities rally around unexpected things and turn them into something genuinely wonderful. It’s quirky, it’s heartwarming, and it’s so Taiwan.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to go design a cat village tee. 🐱