A cat at Xiyuan Temple in Suzhou, China, has captured the hearts of tourists by offering high-fives as they pass by. The black and grey feline, known as Jellybean, wears a gold chain and perches on a stone pillar at the temple entrance, eagerly greeting visitors with a raised paw. Many believe the interaction brings good luck, as cats in Chinese folklore are seen as symbols of prosperity.
Xiyuan Temple, a historic site dating back to the Yuan dynasty, is known for its beautiful gardens and traditional Han Buddhist architecture. The temple grounds are home to numerous stray cats, making it a favorite spot for animal lovers. The entrance fee is a modest five yuan, attracting many who wish to experience both cultural heritage and feline companionship.
A viral video of Jellybean high-fiving tourists has amassed over 120,000 likes on social media, drawing even larger crowds to the temple. Some visitors, like a woman surnamed Zhang, have returned multiple times just to see the cat. She shared that waiting up to 30 minutes for a high-five is worthwhile because the experience feels “healing.”
Temple staff clarified that Jellybean is not a stray but a pet brought by a visitor named Liu. He frequently takes Jellybean to the temple plaza on weekends, where pet lovers gather. Liu explained that his cat suffers from ear mites, and the sun helps dry its ears after treatment.
As Jellybean’s popularity soared, Liu began live-streaming their outings, saying he wanted to document the cat’s growth. However, some viewers noticed the cat appearing less enthusiastic about high-fiving and joked that it might be “on strike.” Critics speculated that Liu was overworking the feline for online engagement, but he reassured them that Jellybean is well cared for, adding that its seemingly grumpy expressions are just its natural look.
Due to growing crowds and concerns for Jellybean’s well-being, Liu has decided to pause their temple visits for now. Xiyuan Temple staff also advised tourists against buying unbranded cat treats from nearby vendors, warning that several stray cats fell ill and died last summer from low-quality food.
Despite the concerns, Jellybean’s charm continues to captivate visitors, proving that even a small paw shake can bring joy and a touch of luck.
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