Purrrr-fect cat sanctuary big draw in Chongqing

Just weeks after opening, a cat-themed park in Southwest China's Chongqing is attracting nationwide attention for its innovative approach to stray animal management. Firefly Bay Cat Theme Park, located in the city's Nan'an district along the southern bank of the Yangtze River, combines animal rescue and urban public space. The park functions both as a sanctuary for abandoned and rescued cats and as a public attraction, providing a pioneering model that blends animal welfare, tourism and community engagement.

The park encompasses 30,000 square meters — roughly the size of four soccer fields — and is designed to accommodate the natural behavior of its feline residents. It features flat areas for dining, drinking and litter facilities, along with activity areas integrated with the contours of the riverside hills.