Chiayi’s Budai Gets New Attraction: Hundreds of Cat Murals at the Heel Church

▲ The popular “Heel Church” attraction in Budai, Chiayi, recently added a 3D cat-themed mural. (Photo / Provided by Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration)

By Intern Reporter Xiong Pei-tD / Comprehensive Report

Chiayi County’s “Heel Church” was voted the hottest attraction of 2016. To connect the heel imagery with Budai Fishing Market and Budai Cultural & Creative Hotel, the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration specially createda 3D mural featuring a “cat” theme, which is expected to showcase hundreds of cats and will becomethe longest cat-themed mural artwork in Taiwan.。

Previously, the “Heel Church” attracted over 20,000 visitors in a single night during its lighting event, creating a huge buzz. This new 3D cat mural features cats as the main characters, depicting a romantic storyline from chance encounters and love to marriage. The highlight of the mural lies in its detailed brushwork, vividly capturing the texture of the cats’ fur. Currently, the “cat” mural is still under creation, with half of the work completed.

In recent years, painted villages across Taiwan have gained immense popularity, each with its own unique characteristics. Unlike others, the “cat” mural emphasizes interactivity by turning visitors into part of the artwork, blending them into the scenes and adding an extra layer of fun. The Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration stated that they hope visitors will follow the mural route, strolling from Xin’nan Road to the Budai Fishing Market, or heading south to the Budai South Dyke Bicycle Path before returning to the Heel Church—making the trip richer and allowing them to enjoy Budai’s scenery beyond just the iconic heel structure.

The Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration hopes the mural route will allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of Budai. (Photo / Screenshot from Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration)