Attraction · Jiufen & the Northeast
Houtong Cat Village
A former mining village turned cat-themed stop, with railway cats, a cat café and hillside paths overlooking the Keelung River. It is kitsch, but charming.
Photo: 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The visit
Houtong is a small, gentle stop that works well on the way to Shifen. The cats are the draw, but the old mining buildings and river valley give the village its character. An hour or two is enough.
History and context
Houtong was a coal-mining village that declined in the 1990s. Residents and volunteers reinvented it around its stray cats, turning the old streets into a cat-themed stop.
Houtong was once one of northern Taiwan’s most productive coal towns, with a large mine and a busy railway station. After the mine closed in 1990 the village emptied; a volunteer cat project in the 2000s brought visitors back.
What to see
- Cats around the old railway station
- Cat-themed cafés and shops
- Hillside views over the Keelung River
- Former coal-mining heritage
Practical notes
- Allow about: 1 hour
- Type: family attraction
- Destination: Jiufen & the Northeast
- Tickets: Free
- Best time: Morning
- Booking: Not needed
- Accessibility: Partial
Getting there
- Train: Houtong
Good to know
It pairs naturally with Jiufen and Shifen on the Pingxi Line. Do not feed the cats human food.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
Recommended duration: 1 hour.
When is the best time to visit?
Go in the morning, when it is cooler and less crowded.
Do I need to book?
No booking is needed.
Location
Keep exploring
More places in Jiufen & the Northeast
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A grassy headland with a lighthouse, sea caves and a clifftop trail where the East China Sea meets the Pacific. On clear days the views stretch to the horizon in both directions.
CultureJiufen Old Street
A warren of stone stairs and covered lanes packed with taro-ball desserts, tea shops and souvenir stalls. The classic view is from the teahouses at the top, looking down over the rooftops to the sea.
CultureShifen Old Street & sky lanterns
A former coal town where the railway runs straight through the market. Writing a wish on a paper lantern and releasing it over the tracks is a beloved, photogenic ritual.
NatureShifen Waterfall
A wide, curtain-like waterfall on the Keelung River, reached by a short riverside walk. It is the broadest waterfall in Taiwan and especially powerful after rain.