Houtong Cat Village Refreshes Its Rustic Charm with a Modern Twist – Local Residents: Meow Meow Meow

▲ Houtong has gained fame in recent years due to its cat attractions. (Photo provided by netizen Shuicao)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Houtong was once a declining mining town, and with its sparse population and abundant cats, it has often been humorously referred to as a place “where cats are the real residents.” In recent years, thanks to its unique cat village environment, it has become a popular destination for cat enthusiasts and was recently ranked by CNN as one of the “World’s Six Best Places to See Cats.”

To shape the commercial image of Houtong, New Taipei City’s Department of Economic Development launched a business district mentoring program. By integrating three local key elements—coal mining, cats, and railways—they created the “miner cats” Ah-Hou and Xiao-Dong as signature mascots. They also designed 12 unique storefront signs for businesses in front of the train station.

Ye Huiqing, Director of the Department of Economic Development, said that Houtong itself boasts advantages such as coal mining culture, railways, and natural scenery. While developing the business district, the department also listens to the voices of local residents. An important mission is to enhance the area into a new cultural and ecological commercial district without disrupting the local lifestyle, while promoting Houtong’s beauty on the international stage.

▲ Through redevelopment, storefronts retain their rustic charm while appearing cleaner; the signs for Ah-Hou and Xiao-Dong also look lively and vivid. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government)

The Department of Economic Development also strives to preserve stories with historical significance and collective memories. For example, at “Black Gold Inn,” the owner’s father was a retired miner from Houtong, so the Ah-Hou mascot here is depicted wearing a miner’s hat and pushing a coal-filled rail cart, reminiscent of the anticipation of miner’s children waiting for their fathers’ safe return. Meanwhile, at “Damenfa Traditional Noodle Shop,” the miner cat Ah-Hou is dressed in an apron, cooking traditional noodles.

Ye Huiqing repeatedly emphasized that a neat and clean storefront is the primary condition for the development of a business district. With the help of professional consultants, Houtong now not only retains its old-fashioned rustic charm but also attracts repeat visitors thanks to its enhanced commercial aesthetics. In the future, the goal is to elevate each commercial district in New Taipei City from having distinctive features to forming a cohesive urban image, expanding the scale of business districts, creating business opportunities, and achieving the objectives of urban economic development.