By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
Houtong in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, which has become famous in recent years for its cats, has renovated the overpass that connects the cat village and the coal mining area since last year. The completed bridge not only has a unique design, but also features cat footprints, photos, and illustrations inside, along with... specially designed platforms for cats to walk and jump on. It will officially open on March 30 (Saturday). Visitors traveling to Houtong during the April holiday are expected to be able to experience Taiwan’s first pedestrian overpass shared by humans and cats.
The newly completed overpass includes platforms for cats to walk on, allowing visitors to stroll alongside the felines. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The cat-friendly overpass, which allows both humans and cats to cross, is 60 meters long. Its “cat head” is located at the park vision hall end, featuring two ears, while its “cat tail” is at the cat village end. This bridge is also the only pedestrian overpass in the country that spans a railway and has components of varying lengths and shapes. The bridge structure includes twenty-five ring sections, five hundred square tube components, and seven hundred fifty steel-aluminum panels. All components vary in size. Additionally, several thoughtful designs for cats have been implemented locally in Houtong, such as a specially made jumping platform covered with pallets at the power distribution box in front of the vision hall for cats to play on, and spaces under benches where cats can hide from pursuing dogs.
The uniquely shaped Houtong Cat Bridge will become a new local landmark. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the cat bridge is scheduled to take place at 10:00 AM on March 30 (Saturday) in front of Houtong Railway Station, followed by the “Spring Pet Wellness Clinic – Limited Edition Cat Village Passport Giveaway” event hosted by New Taipei City’s Animal Protection Office starting at 10:30 AM. Director Liao Rongqing of the Agriculture Bureau stated that the pet welfare shuttle bus offers adorable kittens for adoption and features on-site veterinary clinics. Visitors who check in at the event will receive a cute cat-shaped balloon, as well as a limited edition “Houtong Cat Village Health Passport” booklet (2013 Cat Heart & Strength Limited Edition), jointly produced by the Animal Protection Office and Taiwan 319 Cat Lovers Association. The content is illustrated by cartoonist Cat Little P and is limited to 10,000 copies.
In addition, a series of public activities are being promoted for the spring holiday season in April, including the “Houtong Heritage Tour Guide Activity,” where renowned local historians Zhou Zhanglin and Ke Maolin provide professional guided tours and commentary; and the “Houtong Fun Treasure Hunt Activity,” where participants collect stamps on a treasure map to win prizes through challenges.
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