New Landmark in Houli, New Taipei City: Taiwan’s First Cat Bridge Opens This Saturday

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin

 

In recent years, Houli in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, has gained fame for its cats. Starting last year, the overpass connecting the cat village and the coal mining area has been renovated. The completed bridge not only features a unique design, but also includes cat footprints, photos, and illustrations inside, as well as...

The 60-meter-long cat-friendly bridge allows both humans and cats to share the walkway. The “cat head” is located at the Park Vision Hall end, featuring two ears, while the “cat tail” is at the cat village end. This is the only pedestrian overpass in the country that spans a railway with varying component lengths and shapes. The bridge structure includes twenty-five ring sections, five hundred square tube components, and seven hundred fifty steel-aluminum panels, all of different dimensions. Additionally, several thoughtful designs have been implemented for the local cats in Houli, such as a custom jump platform wrapped in pallets in front of the Vision Hall for cats to play on, and spaces under benches where cats can hide from chasing dogs.

The inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the cat bridge is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 30, in front of Houli Railway Station. At 10:30 AM, the New Taipei City Animal Protection Office will host the “Spring Wellness Check, Limited-Edition Cat Village Passport Giveaway” event. Director Liao Rongqing of the Agriculture Bureau stated that the pet welfare shuttle bus will offer adorable kittens for adoption, and veterinarians will provide free medical consultations. Visitors who check in at the event will receive cute cat-shaped balloons, along with a limited-edition “Houli Cat Village Health Passport” booklet (2013 Cat Heart & Strength Limited Edition), co-produced by the Animal Protection Office and Taiwan 319 Cat Lovers Association. The content, illustrated by artist Cat P, is limited to 10,000 copies.

 

In addition, a series of public activities have been planned to promote travel during the April spring holiday, including the “Houli Heritage Tour Guided Activity” led by renowned local historians Zhou Zhanglin and Ke Maolin, offering expert guided tours and insights; and the “Houli Fun Treasure Hunt Activity,” where participants can follow treasure maps, complete challenges, collect stamps, and enter lucky draws for prizes.

 

 

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