Houtong Cat Bridge Introduction
The Cat Bridge of Houtong was originally built in 1970 by Taiwan Railways at Houtong Railway Station as an overpass for residents of the Guangfu Village to access and exit the area. Since 2009, Houtong has gained fame as a "Cat Village," attracting a steady stream of visitors. This overpass serves as a route for commuting between the Cat Village and the coal mine park. In response to residents' feedback about the old and narrow overpass, the New Taipei City Government decided to undertake a renovation project. Beginning in 2012, the reconstruction plan for the "Houtong Railway Station Overpass to Cat Village" was initiated, incorporating the unique characteristics of Cat Village. Taking into account suggestions from local residents, the design included elements inspired by local coal mines, cats, and tunnels, resulting in the uniquely shaped "Cat Bridge." Inside the bridge, there are cat paw prints, photographs, and illustrations, along with specially designed platforms for cats to pass and jump. The shape of the bridge resembles a playful cat, spanning between the station and Cat Village. This shared landmark bridge, the Houtong Cat Bridge, received the Golden Award in Public Works in 2013, becoming one of the iconic landmarks of Cat Village. Due to the humid climate in Houtong, some components of the bridge exhibited rust and deterioration ten years after it was opened. Consequently, the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau carried out repair work to reinforce the structural integrity, replace steel beams and paint, restore the internal lighting, and refurbish the cat jumping platform and benches, with plans to reopen it to the public in March 2025.
