Limited free cat platform tickets for the Houtong Cat Lantern Blessing Festival

Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Chen Guanxin

 

In recent years, Houtong Cat Village has garnered increasing attention from both domestic and international tourists, becoming a must-visit destination for cat lovers and photography enthusiasts. The 319 Cat Lovers Association, which has long been promoting a culture of harmonious coexistence between humans and cats in Houtong, is organizing the second Houtong Cat Lantern Blessing Festival this year and tomorrow (September 7 and 8) from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in front of Houtong Railway Station. The event not only features giant cat lanterns crafted by master artisans, standing 150 cm tall, but also includes a charity fun fair where participants can paint lanterns for blessings. This year, a nationwide exclusive cat-themed blessing bookmark platform ticket will be launched. In collaboration with the New Taipei City Veterinarians Association, an on-site quiz will promote health education, and a total of 1,600 cat bookmark platform tickets will be given away over the two days.

The 2013 Cat Lantern Blessing Festival centers around the themes of “environmental protection, care for life, and art and cultural creativity.” This year’s main cat-head lantern was created by Taiwanese arts and crafts master Chen Gaoming, who wove a giant cat head measuring 150 cm in height and 200 cm in width using bamboo materials, integrating environmental messages with cat imagery as the creative concept. The event also invites various local associations in Houtong to participate, promoting local culture and eco-conservation in Houtong and Sandiaoling. Additionally, several artists’ painted cat lantern works will be exhibited, merging artistic expressions of feline imagery with local culture to jointly enhance the value of community character.

 

To advocate the concept of care for life, the organizers have invited ten illustrators to create various styles of cat illustration boards that also convey correct pet care and epidemic prevention tips. These cute cat illustration boards placed around the Houtong Cat Bridge, station, and square add a new highlight combining art, cultural creativity, and health education to Houtong. The participating artists include: catophilia, PEPE桑, You Shuyu, Li Hongxiang, Li Xiaoyi, Lin Zongfan, Chen Youling, Shimizusakito, Miaoyi, and Cat Little P.

 

Expecting to promote proper pet care and epidemic prevention awareness through the event, the organizers have also arranged a quiz hosted by the New Taipei City Veterinarians Association to spread health education. Participants who answer correctly can receive one limited-edition cat bookmark platform ticket printed by Taiwan Railways, with 800 available per day until they run out, starting at 10:30 AM. On September 7, the “Cat Bridge Commemorative Edition” will be given out, and on September 8, the “Sanfu Cat Commemorative Edition.” Additionally, Houtong Railway Station will begin selling the same limited-edition commemorative platform tickets—1,000 sets available, with a limit of one set per person—starting at 12:00 PM that day.

 

 

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