As the coal mining industry began to fall into decline in 1990, development in Houtong became progressively worse.
The once prosperous mining industry fell into ruins and was lying so for decades.
They posted the cats pictures on the web and received an overwhelming response from other cat lovers.
Soon Houtong became a hotbed for cat lovers and amateur photographers.
Houtong residents are cashing in on the tourist influx by opening souvenir shops and selling cat-shaped pineapple pastries.
The cats are looked after by the towns residents.
Chan Bi-yun, a 58-year-old retiree takes a lot of the credit for Houtong’s feline-induced rebirth.
“Now I feed about half of Houtong’s cat population.”
This sign is located in Houtongs railway station.
