Solo score 4 out of 5: Very comfortableMultiple sources agree · checked 2026-10
Houtong Cat Village & Coal Mine Park
猴硐貓村・猴硐煤礦博物園區 · show this name to taxi drivers
A small former coal-mining village one stop south of Ruifang, with mining relics beside the station and a hillside village famous for its cats. There are far fewer cats than there used to be, but it's a quiet, free half-day stop to wander alone, and it pairs easily with the Pingxi Line.
At a glance for one
Admission
Free
Free to walk around the park, the coal preparation plant exhibits and the cat village.
Hours
08:00–18:00
The park grounds are open 08:00-18:00. The Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant exhibition is open 09:00-18:00 and closes on the first Monday of each month (the next day if that Monday is a public holiday). The cat village is a residential area, so visit in the daytime.
Time needed
1-2 hours
Booking
Not needed
Minimum
None
Details can change. Check on site before you rely on hours, prices or payment.
How to visit, step by step
- Take a local train to Houtong Station, one stop south of Ruifang. Pingxi Line trains stop here too
- Start at the coal mine park across from the station (No. 42 Chailiao Road): the old coal conveyor bridge and the Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant, where a restored coal tipper and ramp opened in October 2026
- The cat village is on the other side of the tracks. The Cat Bridge over the tracks is closed for renovation, so follow the signs for the temporary path
- Expect only a few dozen cats at most. Numbers have fallen from over 200 at their peak to under 30 by early 2026, mainly thanks to neutering
- Don't feed, chase or pick up the cats, and keep your voice down. People live here, and volunteers feed the cats each morning
- Check the train times for your trip back before you set off
Don't miss: The restored coal preparation plant by the station, then a slow walk up the cat village lanes.
Best time to go alone: A weekday morning or early afternoon. Weekends are busier.
Before you go
Four easy day trips into New Taipei by public transport, alone. Jiufen and Jinguashi, Shifen and the Pingxi Line, Tamsui and Bali, and the North Coast, with how to get there, what to eat on your own and when to head back.
Read: Day trips from Taipei on your own →Getting there
Getting there: From Taipei: a local train to Houtong Station, about 1 hour (change at Ruifang if your train doesn't stop at Houtong). The park is directly across from the station. Check the timetable before you go back.
No. 42, Chailiao Rd., Ruifang Dist., New Taipei City (across from Houtong Station)
新北市瑞芳區柴寮路42號（猴硐車站對面）
Open in Google Maps新北市瑞芳區柴寮路42號（猴硐車站對面）
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Sources & checks
Multiple sources agree · 2026-10
- Official visitor information (newtaipei.travel)
- News report (taipeitimes.com)
- United Daily News (udn.com)
- News report (businesstoday.com.tw)
No sponsorship disclosed in the sources we checked.