Soar Over Taiwan at FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada is a Vancouver attraction that features multi-sensory ride-type films. In winter, around Chinese New Year, they offer a special feature film.

In past years, in celebration of the Lunar New Year, the show has been Flight of the Dragon. It featured scenes from Mainland China. In 2020 they had a new film, Soar Over Taiwan. Soar Over Taiwan was back in 2023 from January 10th to February 12th.

For tickets and the attraction’s official website, visit flyovercanada.com.

Soar Over Taiwan at FlyOver Canada

Soar Over Taiwan is a popular show in the series of FlyOver Canada films. To learn more about the attraction and its other films see our main article about FlyOver Canada. To learn about the latest Lunar New Year-themed flying-film experience though, continue reading.

When, Where and How Much

Soar Over Taiwan took place from noon until 8:00 pm on select days in 2023 at 999 Canada Place in the FlyOver Canada facility in downtown Vancouver. The show ran from January 10th to February 12th.

In 2023 Soar Over Taiwan alternated with the standard FlyOver Canada shows every 30 minutes. If you wanted to see Soar Over Taiwan you had to book a time that ended in 00:15 or 00:45, and if you wanted to see the regular FlyOver Canada film the times for that ended in 00:00 and 00:30.

As of the last time we checked, prices online in 2023 cost between $28 and $34 for adults or about $3 less if you are a “local”. Tickets for children (ages 15 and under) cost around $20. If you bought tickets to see both the Soar Over Taiwan film and the regular FlyOver Canada show as part of a dual-ride ticket, you saved about 30% off the regular full price of the second film.

Note: Ticket prices are subject to change and may vary by date. Also, tickets are much more if you purchase them on the day at the gate (between about $5 and $10). To save money, buy your tickets online in advance.

For tickets and the attraction’s official website, visit flyovercanada.com.

Taiwanese Fields of Tea — Taiwanese Tea Farms

What to Expect (Before the Show)

Once you arrive at the FlyOver Canada ticket booth and check in, take a look around the gift shop to find some Vancouver and Lunar New Year souvenirs. It’s a very good gift shop and the quality of the souvenirs is high. There is also the Flying Whale Waterfront Café in the building if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty.

Once it’s close to your assigned time for the attraction, head up the stairs to the right of the ticket booth and join the queue. There, a guest services person will scan your tickets and offer to take your photo. The photo involves standing in front of a green screen so they can change the background. You can then see your photos in the gift shop after your show (and decide then whether or not you want to buy one as a souvenir).

In the line-up they have complimentary umbrella bags and some interesting trivia about Taiwan on TV screens. When needed, they also have heaters throughout the queue area in case you’re worried about being too cold while waiting your turn.

Once inside the venue, a short film explaining the importance of the Lunar New Year in Taiwan is shown. You are then directed to your seat for the main show, where you soar over the beautiful island of Taiwan and discover the vast landscapes that are there.

Note: The details above are from 2020. We expect future years to be similar, but details are subject to change.

Taipei and Taipei 101 — Taipei and the Taipei 101 Building

What to Expect (During the Show)

The actual main theatre has a row of seats on three different floors. You are directed to your seat and instructed to store your belongings underneath your spot and then buckle in. Once everyone is ready, the lights go out and your row of seats begins to move up and forward.

Seconds later the lights go on and you find yourself soaring above Taiwan. Over the next few minutes you fly over lush green and jagged mountains, past beautiful fields of tea, along the coastline of the island, by temples and pagodas, and around the city of Taipei.

In the film you see Taroko National Park, Jade Mountain, the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival and Taipei 101. At around 509 metres (or 1671 feet) and 101 stories high, Taipei 101 was, until 2010, the tallest building in the world. In total you see about twenty different famous Taiwanese places.

During the film not only do you see beautiful sites, but you also feel the breeze on your face and smells in the air. Your row of seats tilts back and forth as you fly around the island, and you even feel a bit of mist when something quite surprising happens (which is unique to this film compared to others produced by FlyOver Canada, but that’s all we’re going to say). It’s truly a multi-sensory experience that’s lots of fun.

When we went it amazed us how there can be so many different landscapes within one small island. Seeing the beautiful oceans, the amazing forests and mountains, and the booming city made us want to go there immediately. The scenery was beautiful and the entire experience was most enjoyable and highly recommended. If and when you go, expect to be educated, awed and entertained!