Cat Bridge in Houtong Introduction
Houtong Cat Bridge was originally an overpass constructed by Taiwan Railway in 1970 at Houtong Station to provide access for residents of the Guangfu Village. Since 2009, Houtong gained fame as "Cat Village," leading to a steady influx of visitors. The overpass served as a connection between the Cat Village and the coal mine park. In response to residents' concerns about the old and narrow overpass, the New Taipei City Government decided to renovate it. Beginning in 2012, the "Houtong Station Cat Village Overpass" renovation project was planned, integrating recommendations from local residents and reflecting the unique features of the Cat Village, incorporating elements of coal mining, cats, and tunnels to create the uniquely designed "Cat Bridge." Inside the bridge, there are cat footprints, photos, and illustrations, along with specially designed platforms for cats to walk and jump. The bridge resembles a playful cat, spanning between the station and Cat Village. The Houtong Cat Bridge, a shared landmark for both people and cats, received the Golden Quality Award for Public Works in 2013, becoming one of the iconic landmarks of Houtong Cat Village. Due to the humid climate of Houtong, some components of the bridge showed signs of rust and deterioration ten years after its inauguration. Consequently, the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau undertook repairs to strengthen the bridge structure, update steel beams and anti-rust paint, improve interior lighting, and restore the cat platforms and benches, with plans to reopen for use in March 2025.
