Last Updated on 14 November 2024 by Vanessa
There are countless cat cafes in Taipei, but one that truly stands out is Cat Valley. Imagine a world where you can be surrounded by 50 adorable cats. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, at Cat Valley, that dream becomes a reality!
This spacious and clean cat cafe offers a stress-free environment for both cats and humans. The owners are attentive to the cats’ needs, ensuring they’re always happy and healthy.
And if you’re feeling hungry, you’re in for a treat – the food here is delicious!
In this post, we will walk you through the story of Cat Valley, how to visit it, and what to expect when you visit this wonderful cat heaven.
Welcome to Cat Valley in Taipei, Taiwan
How It All Began
Cat Valley was born out of a deep love for cats. The owners, both cat lovers, noticed the overwhelming number of stray cats in Taiwan without a safe place to call home. While animal shelters exist, the conditions for the cats aren’t always ideal. So, Cat Valley was created to give these furry friends a warm and loving home.
They built a cozy indoor space using shipping containers where stray cats could live comfortably and without fear. The inspiration for the cafe’s design came from the countries’ wonderful landscape. Do you know Taiwan has more than 250 mountains over 3000 meters and over 600 trails?
Birds’ nests inspired the intricate vine structures, symbolizing protection and nurturing. It also draws inspiration from the movie Avatar, where the interconnected trees form a vast network. The vines used in Cat Valley are all-natural, collected from nearby trees and carefully woven into beautiful and functional structures. These “cat trees” allow the cats to climb, jump, and explore, fulfilling their natural instincts.
Cat Valley is just like a magical cat kingdom. If you love cats, you should consider Cat Valley instead of going to Taipei zoo. It’s a place to slow down, relax, and connect with nature and these amazing creatures.
Planning Your Visit
Reservation
Cat Valley is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
They offer three time slots: Morning/Afternoon (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM), Afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:00 PM), and Evening (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM). Each session is a fixed 150 minutes. To visit, you must make a reservation. You also have to be 12 or older and bring a valid ID.
To make a reservation, you’ll need to book via their platform and prepay a fee of NTD$500 (USD$16) per person. Of that amount, you can use $200 to purchase food or drinks at the cafe.
Due to high demand, especially on weekends, booking your spot at least a month in advance is recommended.
Transportation
You can find Cat Valley at No. 175-3, Shuangcheng Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 新北市新店區雙城路175號之三.
Cat Valley is, unfortunately, not the easiest to reach. However, it is definitely worth the hassle.
Driving or taxi is highly recommended, as public transportation will take you 80-90 minutes from Taipei Main Station to Cat Valley. You must also walk for about 20 minutes to reach the final destination.
Please use google maps and plan ahead for your transportation. You do not want to waste your precious time on traffic that can instead be spent with your furry friends! We recommend getting there at least 15 minutes before your session starts.
What to Bring
There isn’t much to bring besides your phone/camera and passion for cats. You have to place your personal items in a locker anyway.
Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for interacting with cats, and avoid those that can be easily damaged. You will have to take your shoes off in Cat Valley. They will provide disposable foot covers for you to wear outside your socks.
Cat Valley Rules
Cat Valley set some rules for a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Most of them are basic, but we will provide the translated version here:
- Be gentle with the cats: Please avoid chasing, running after, scaring, grabbing, hugging, or using laser pointers on the cats.
- Respect their personal space: Avoid touching the cats’ belly, hind legs, or tail.
- No feeding: All the cats at Cat Valley belong to the owner and are already well-fed. Please don’t feed them any treats.
- Free interaction: Interaction with cats is free. No additional or hidden charges exist.
- No other pets allowed: To protect our feline friends, no other pets are allowed inside the cafe.
- All cats are fixed: Except for kittens, all the cats are either neutered or spayed.
- No shoes: Please remove your shoes before entering. Disposable foot covers are provided.
- Safety first: If a cat feels threatened, they may hiss, scratch, or bite. To avoid injuries, please follow all the rules. The cafe will not be responsible for injuries caused by not following the rules.
- Keep your belongings safe: Please keep an eye on your belongings. The cafe is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
- No outside food or treats: You cannot bring any food or treats for the cats.
- Follow the rules: If you do not follow the rules, you may be asked to leave (after warnings) and will not receive a refund.
- Check for hidden cats: Before leaving, please check your belongings for any hidden cats.
- Be careful: Even though the cats are friendly, please be cautious when interacting with them to avoid accidents.
- Protect your belongings: The cats may accidentally scratch or damage your clothes. The cafe is not responsible for any damage to your belongings.
- No outside food or drinks: Please do not bring outside food or beverages into the cafe.
- By entering, you agree to these rules. If you cannot follow these rules, please do not enter.
Interacting with 50 Purr-fect Friends
About the Cats
There are about 40-50 cats in Cat Valley. They all have name tags (in Mandarin) along with their birthdays. Some are named after the classic Chinese game Mahjong, and some are named after characters from the famous Japanese cartoons Doraemon and Labi.
The cafe is home to a variety of breeds, including Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats, American Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds, Persians, Bengals, Munchkins, and others.
The cats here are all pretty friendly. However, not all are as cuddly as you would expect. Maybe because they receive too much love every day.
Feeding Show
At Cat Valley, the feeding show is a must-see. Get ready for a furry frenzy!
Towards the last 30 minutes of your session, the owners will tap a spoon on a bowl, and every cat in the cafe comes running! It’s like a feline flash mob!
They will then line up on an entire wall of wooden perches, ready to chow down. It’s an amazing scene to watch.
And the best part? At the end, you can join in on the fun! Three sets of lucky customers get to sit in a cozy “bird’s nest” and take a group photo with the cats. The owners will use treats to lure the cats closer, so don’t be shy. Raise your hand, and prepare for some unforgettable memories!
Food and Drinks
Taiwan is most famous for its delicious food. Even in tall mountains like Alishan, you have fantastic food to fill your stomach.
Cat Valley is the same. You can enjoy well-made dishes while spending time with adorable cats. They offer various dishes, like fries, pancakes, pasta, and risotto. Every visitor gets complimentary Taiwanese black tea or green tea, and you can refill your drink as often as you want.
The dining area is separate from the cat play area, so you can focus on your meal or play with the cats without distractions. When your food is ready, you’ll get a number, and you can pick it up at the counter. If you can’t finish your meal, you can leave it and return later. Remember, the food will be taken away about 10 minutes before the cat playtime ends.
How to Support the Cats?
After having so much fun with the cats, the chances are high that you fell in love with at least one of them. Unfortunately, the cats here are not for adoption. The best way to support is to visit Cat Valley and spread the word!
We have heard that some customers became godparents of a particular cat by contributing a certain amount monthly. Maybe you could try that if you really want to support your furry friend.
We hope this post provides all you need to visit Cat Valley! If you ever visit Taiwan, do not miss this amazing experience to interact with 50 cute cats!
We have a blog dedicated to our home country, Taiwan. So, if you ever need a local Taiwanese travel guide on what to eat or where to visit, we hope that can help.
This is a guest post by Crystal Lin from Blue Canoe Travel.
Images courtesy of Cat Valley.
Still looking for a place to spend the night? Check out these cat-themed hotels in Taiwan!
Cat Valley 貓谷
No. 175-3, Shuangcheng Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
新北市新店區雙城路175號之三
Website (Mandarin): https://www.
Reserve here: https://inline.app/
Instagram: https://www.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.
Read next: Avalon by Vanessa Morgan
Looking for something cozy to read while you relax at Cat Valley Taiwan? Why not dive into Avalon by Vanessa Morgan, a heartwarming memoir that every cat lover will adore. This touching book chronicles the life of Avalon, a quirky and lovable feline who transforms the lives of everyone he meets. Packed with heartfelt moments, humorous anecdotes, and the universal charm of a cat’s companionship, Avalon is the perfect read during your cafe visit. Grab a cup of coffee, cuddle up with the 50 furry friends of Cat Valley, and let this captivating tale whisk you away. Available in English and French.
Pin this article about Cat Valley in Taipei, Taiwan!
3 responses
That looks a beautiful place to visit. I am not able to fly any longer so will never get there, but I really wish I could. The photos are beautiful.
oooh I love this! We have a few local cat cafes and they are always so much fun!
This is really interesting. I don’t get to travel so I really enjoyed reading this.
Your neighbor at #PoCoLo