⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣦⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣴⣿⣦⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣠⣤⣤⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠘⣿⣿⣿⣿⠟⠁⠀⠀⠀⠹⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠟⠁⠀⠀⠹⣿⣿⡿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⢼⣿⠀⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⣾⣷⠀⠀⢿⣿⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣷⡀⠀⠀⠈⠋⢀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⠙⠋⠀⢀⣾⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⢀⣀⣀⣀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣶⣶⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣾⣿⣷⣦⣤⣴⣿⣿⣿⣿⣤⠤⢤⣤⡄ ⠈⠉⠉⢉⣙⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣇⣀⣀⣀⡀⠀ ⠐⠚⠋⠉⢀⣬⡿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣥⣀⡀⠈⠀⠈⠛ ⠀⠀⠴⠚⠉⠀⠀⠀⠉⠛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠛⠋⠁⠀⠀⠀⠉⠛⠢⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣰⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Visiting Cat Island in Shanghai was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had since moving here. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being surrounded by so many cats in one place but I’ll try my best to share what made it so special. If you love animals, nature, and cozy little adventures with friends, Cat Island should definitely be on your list!
First of all, Cat Island is a great place to go with friends. The vibe is relaxed and playful, and it’s one of those spots where you can easily spend hours without realizing how much time has passed. When I went, I was with a couple of friends, and we immediately noticed that even before entering the actual site, there were cats and even some dogs roaming outside the building. People from the neighborhood and visitors often come just to feed the animals that hang around the entrance, and it creates this really warm, communal atmosphere.
The setting itself has a beautiful, natural vibe. Just outside the building, there are plenty of photo opportunities, since the space is filled with fun cat-themed decorations and outdoor spots where you can pose with your friends or snap candid shots of the cats exploring. One of the highlights for me was the scenery right next to the site: there’s a gorgeous view with willow trees swaying in the breeze beside a peaceful body of water. It really sets the tone for the whole experience. You feel like you’ve stepped away from the busy energy of Shanghai into this quiet, playful little world where animals and people coexist in a slower rhythm.
Walking inside the building was an experience in itself. Both the interior and exterior are decked out with cat-themed décor, making it a dream spot for anyone who loves taking pictures. There are murals, signs, props, and even small statues that add to the charm of the place. Of course, the main attraction is the cats themselves, and there are tons of them. Cats lounging on shelves, cats curled up in corners, cats boldly walking across tables as if they own the place (which, honestly, they do). The sheer number of cats is almost overwhelming at first, but in a good way. You could easily spend an hour just trying to meet them all, noticing their different markings and personalities.
Entry to Cat Island is free, which I thought was wonderful. The organization that runs the place is non-profit, so they make it accessible to everyone, but there are also opportunities to contribute. You can buy treats to feed the cats, which is a fun way to interact with them. When you have treats in your hand, you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by eager little faces and twitching tails. The staff members sometimes also hand out toys, which adds another layer of playtime with the cats. There are certain special areas inside where you do have to pay a small fee to enter—these rooms usually have kittens or other cats that are kept a bit more separate. It makes sense because it helps manage crowd control and keeps the younger or more fragile cats from being overwhelmed but if you’re willing to pay, it’s definitely worth it to get that extra time with them.
What really stood out to me was just how many different kinds of cats there were. You could tell that each one was very unique and had their own distinct personality, even if they were the same breed or coloration. Some were sleepy and content to nap in corners, some were bold and walked right up to strangers, and others were shy and preferred to watch from a distance. On top of all the cats, there were also some surprising residents: I saw a pig and even a mule on site. It truly added to the charm of the place. I went there thinking it would just be cats, but it ended up feeling like a small, eclectic animal sanctuary.
The atmosphere was lively, not just because of the animals, but also because of the people. Many visitors came in groups like couples on dates, families with kids, groups of friends like mine. Everywhere I looked, people were laughing, crouching down to pet a cat, or attmepting to snap a cute candid picture. In fact, I noticed quite a few people brought professional cameras, which made sense—the lighting, decorations, and abundance of cats make it ideal for photographers. Even with many people, it never felt overly crowded or stressful, because everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves in their own little pockets of space.
I personally ended up spending around three hours there. Time really flew by, but I think that’s because I love animals and wanted to interact with as many as possible. Some cats would sit in your lap and refuse to leav and some others wanted to play nonstop. Some were simply content to be admired from a distance. With so many cats and so much variety in how they interacted with people, it felt like I could have stayed even longer and still discovered new personalities. My advice to anyone visiting would be to take your time, bring a camera, and don’t be afraid to sit down and let the cats come to you. The best moments usually happen when you’re not rushing.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend visiting Cat Island. It’s not just a place for animal lovers but I believe it’s an experience that combines nature, photography, friendship, and relaxation in one. It is truly a unique experience in China where you get to see cats taken care of without being overly stricted. A place that can be social or reflective. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity with friends, a unique date spot, or even just some quiet time surrounded by animals, it’s a place that will leave you smiling. Between the beautiful scenery, the welcoming vibe, and of course the endless variety of cats, Cat Island is an area that I’m so glad I got to experience. If you have a free day in Shanghai, set aside a few hours, bring your friends, and get ready to hangout with some cats!