Cat-Friendly Places in China: 12 Ranked Spots

Shanghai's most-reviewed cat café, tucked inside the Xintiandi heritage shikumen complex. Fourteen cats, a mix of Persians, Scottish Folds, and rescues, live here full-time. The space is immaculately designed with floor-to-ceiling cat infrastructure. Reviewers on Xiaohongshu (RED) call it the best photo spot in the city for cat lovers.

Hidden down a tree-lined lane in the French Concession, Cat Town (猫的小镇) has been operating since 2014, making it one of mainland China's pioneers. The 18 resident cats include several rare Lykoi (werewolf cats) that draw curious visitors from across the country. A must-visit on any Shanghai itinerary for cat lovers.

One of Beijing's oldest and most beloved cat cafés, located steps from Sanlitun's bustling bar street. The 15 cats here are famous on Weibo for their photogenic personalities. The owner, a former journalist, became an advocate for TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programmes after opening in 2013.

A bookshop-cat café hybrid in Beijing's diplomatic quarter, Meow Library (喵图书馆) has over 2,000 volumes and 11 cats. The concept, read, sip, cuddle, resonates deeply with Beijing's bookish crowd. Themed reading corners let you settle in for hours without feeling rushed.

Chengdu is globally known for its giant pandas, but the city also has a thriving cat café scene. Lucky Cat Café in the Taikoo Li complex has 13 resident cats alongside some of Sichuan's best specialty coffee. The hot pot-flavoured cat treats (yes, really) are a running joke beloved by regulars.

Guangzhou's top-rated cat café is in the Pearl River New Town, a short walk from the Canton Tower. Twelve cats and a Cantonese dim sum fusion menu make this a unique experience, where else can you eat egg tarts while a Siamese stares at you expectantly?

Located near the scenic West Lake, MeowHome blends natural bamboo décor with 10 free-roaming cats. Visitors often combine a morning stroll around West Lake with an afternoon here. The teahouse-style seating and Longjing (Dragon Well) tea service make this feel distinctly Hangzhou.

In Qingdao's charming German-colonial Badaguan district, Laoshan Cat Villa occupies a century-old stone house. The 15 cats here are semi-free-range and roam the walled garden. The German-style beer garden seating and resident cats make for an unexpectedly delightful combination.

Near the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, Mao's is a haven of calm in Xi'an's busy old city. Eight cats live here alongside an impressive collection of Tang Dynasty-inspired cat sculptures. Visitors often stop in after a morning visiting the Terracotta Warriors.

In Shenzhen's tech-forward OCT-LOFT creative district, Whiskers caters to a young professional crowd. Ten cats and a specialty coffee program make this a popular remote working spot, cats curling on laps while laptops glow has become a brand identity for this café.

Chongqing's famously hilly streets lead to this three-storey cat café in the Jiefangbei CBD. The 12 cats here have adapted remarkably well to the city's hot, humid climate and can often be found draped across the air-conditioning vents, to the amusement of all guests.

Near the beautiful Confucius Temple area, Nanjing Cat Paradise is a large open-plan café with 16 cats and a garden patio. The space doubles as an adoption centre, dozens of cats have found permanent homes through the café's partnership with Nanjing's city animal shelter.