Houtong Cat Village is one of Taiwan’s most charming and quirky destinations — a tiny mountain village where hundreds of friendly cats roam freely among old mining buildings, cafés, and scenic hillside paths. It’s equal parts adorable, peaceful, and unexpectedly fascinating.
Houtong became famous when local volunteers began rescuing and caring for the many stray cats in the area. The cats multiplied, the photos went viral, and soon Houtong transformed into a beloved “cat village.
Many cats have informal territories tied to specific families.
Before cats became the stars, Houtong was one of Taiwan’s major coal mining hubs. You can explore the old mining tunnel entrances, abandoned industrial structures and there is a mining museum with a historical photo display showing its boom years.
The village sits in the lush river valley of the Keelung river on the northeastern edge of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range.
The entire village embraces the theme. There are cat cafés with mountain views. Shops selling cat cookies, cat magnets, cat everything. Colorful murals of cats doing everyday things and cat-shaped signs guiding you along the paths.
Many of the cats are fed and cared for by a combination of dedicated local volunteers, community residents and shop owners — not by the government or a single organization. Most of the shops sell cat food packets so tourists can also help feed the cats.
Cat cafés and small businesses often feed certain cats who hang around their doorways. These cats become mini mascots of the shop.
A group of longtime volunteers — many of whom live in or near Houtong — feed the cats daily.They provide fresh food and water, medicine when needed, vaccinations and vet visits, trap-neuter-return (TNR) care.
They are the heart of the operation and have helped keep the cats healthy and friendly.
A visit to Taipei for animal lovers would not be complete without a stop at the Zoo. Founded in 1914, the zoo spans 165 hectares which is about 300 American football fields stitched together and much of it nestled in a lush, hilly valley. It’s one of the largest zoos in Asia, yet admission is only about $2.
It’s a beautiful walk through the zoo and we logged plenty of miles exploring it. Set in the green hills of Wenshan, Taipei Zoo feels worlds away from the city — even though it’s only a quick 40-minute MRT ride.
The zoo is home to many exotic and memorable animals, but of course the pandas remain the star attraction.
動物真係好神奇
Jane in Spain 