Houdong Becomes Houtong: Taiwan Railways’ Out-of-Print “Houdong” Train Tickets Go on Sale on the 17th

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Houtong Station on the Taiwan Railways has gained fame in recent years for its “Cat Village,” attracting many visitors. However, the station was originally named Houdong and only reverted to Houtong in 2013 following local opinions. Taiwan Railways stated that the old-style tickets printed with the name “Houdong” Station before the renaming have now become a thing of the past. Starting March 17, a special sale of vintage tickets will be held at the second-floor ticket office of Houtong Station, offering rail enthusiasts a final chance to collect these keepsakes.

The Houtong area was originally named for the monkeys that gathered in the nearby mountain caves. In the 1960s, authorities deemed the character for “monkey” (猴) inappropriate and changed it to “noble” (侯). In recent years, after strong advocacy by locals, the name was reverted back to the original “Houtong.” Along with the renaming, Taiwan Railways also stopped selling tickets printed with “Houdong.” The railway company noted that the tickets being cleared this time differ in station name, and the old-style tickets are rare “hard card name-card style tickets,” offering a truly retro vibe.

Taiwan Railways reminded that the special sale will offer all remaining levels of “Houdong” tickets at current fares. Even if you buy an old-style ticket, you can still use it immediately. The sale period runs from the 17th to the 22nd, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Transactions are cash only—credit cards are not accepted. Also, stock of each type of name-card style ticket is limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing out.

▲ Step into the “Cat Village” of Houtong, and you’ll even find adorable cats on the rooftops. (Photo / Provided by netizen Shuicao, archival image)