The Houtong Cat Lantern Festival Kicks Off This Weekend & Limited-Edition Cat Blessing Bookmarks & Platform Tickets to Be Given Away

▲ Taiwan Railways prints the country’s only

Tourism Center / General Report

Houtong Cat Village has garnered increasing attention from both domestic and international tourists in recent years, with visitor numbers on a steady rise. The inauguration of the Houtong Cat Bridge on March 30 this year has further established it as a must-visit destination for travelers from Hong Kong, Macau, and independent mainland Chinese visitors. The 319 Cat Lovers Association, which promotes harmonious coexistence between humans and cats in Houtong, will holdthe second edition of the Cat Lantern Blessing Festival this weekend (September 7 and 8) in front of Houtong Railway Station.。

The 2013 Cat Lantern Blessing Festival centers around the themes of “environmental protection, care for life, and artistic cultural creativity.” The main lantern was crafted by Taiwanese master artisan Chen Gaoming using “bamboo material,” combining eco-consciousness with feline imagery to create a giant 150-centimeter-tall cat lantern. Painted cat lantern artworks by several artists will also be unveiled at the event, merging the artistic expression of feline concepts with local culture to enhance the community’s unique character. Additionally, the organizers have invited ten illustrators to create uniquely styled cat-themed standing boards that also impart correct pet care and disease prevention tips. These adorable cat boards will be placed around the Houtong Cat Bridge, station, and square, adding a new highlight that blends artistic creativity, cultural content, and public health education.

▲ Since its opening, the Houtong Cat Bridge has attracted large numbers of domestic and international tourists with its dedicated cat jumping platforms adorned with various cat-themed cardboard cutouts. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu, reporter)

To promote proper pet care and disease prevention through the event, the New Taipei City Veterinarians Association will host an educational quiz with prizes. Participants who answer correctly can receive one of the Taiwan Railways’ nationally unique cat-shaped bookmark platform tickets—limited to 800 per day starting at 10:30 AM until supplies run out. The designs given away differ each day: the “Cat Bridge Commemorative Edition” on the 7th and the “Three Blessings Cats Commemorative Edition” on the 8th. Illustrator and cat artist Cat Little P explained that the specially designed “Three Blessings Cats Commemorative Edition” aims to bless everyone with three feline representations symbolizing peace, health, and happiness. Taiwan Railways will also sell the same limited-edition set of 1,000 commemorative platform tickets at Houtong Railway Station at 12 PM on the 8th, with a limit of one set per person.

At 11:30 AM on the 7th, Japanese cat illustrator PEPE-san will make a special appearance to perform live. The Houtong Eco-Education Park will also showcase eco-DIY lifestyle art pieces and bring a brick kiln to the site to sell freshly cooked kiln-baked red bean soup. Other activities include guided tours of Houtong’s scenic spots, interactive electronic games, and live cat lantern painting sessions, allowing families to create lasting memories together.

The second Houtong Cat Lantern Festival will take place from 10 AM to 5 PM on September 7 and 8 in front of Houtong Railway Station. It is hoped that the “blessing” aspect of the festival will bring more peace and hope to people, illuminating and painting the happiest visions in everyone’s heart.