Several Ferris wheels in the world have made their mark for being extraordinary and have captured the attention of locals and tourists alike, such as the London Eye and Singapore Flyer.
But South Korea is taking the design of their upcoming Ferris wheel to a higher level as they plan to build the world's largest spokeless Ferris wheel that could hopefully operate starting in 2025, as per MailOnline.
Seoul Ring: World's Largest Spokeless Ferris Wheel
South Korea will use an "innovative technology" for their futuristic Seoul Ring that breaks away from the traditional appearance of Ferris wheels.
It will be built on a former landfill site in Haneul Park, which the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has termed a "gateway to Seoul." SMG said in an announcement earlier this month that the Seoul Ring will also become a cultural complex for tourists to appreciate the historical meaning of Nanjido aside from functioning as an entertainment facility.
More so, the futuristic Ferris wheel will host a range of events, cultural and tourism activities, and programs. It will also serve as a communication hub.
As per CNN's report, the Seoul Ring will stand 591 feet tall once completed. In comparison, the famous London Eye in the UK only stands at 442 feet, which means the Seoul Ring will be 149 feet taller. It also beats the current largest Ferris wheel in the world in China which stands at 475 feet tall.
Some of the sights that guests will see are the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Mountain from its stainless steel pods.
Haneul Park was chosen among the other alternatives, including Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, and Jamsil, which the SMG has been considering since last October.
Innovative, Eco-friendly Technologies Will Be Used for Seoul Ring
The new Ferris wheel will be erected on a hilltop near the Han River in the Sangam-dong area, a former landfill site and also known as an eco-themed park, employing innovative and eco-friendly technology, World Architecture reported. Meanwhile, the wheel structure will be outfitted with solar panels.
The Korean government also said that Haneul Park was chosen because of its symbolism as a gate to Seoul and unified Korea since it is geographically close to North Korea, which shows the harmony and reunification of the Korean race.
The Seoul Ring will be created using an innovative, spokeless technology that is far more aesthetically pleasing than standard Ferris wheels. To do this, the city of Seoul will engage domestic and international specialists in architecture and engineering to ensure the spokeless design of the Seoul Ring's construction safety and structural integrity.
The Seoul Ring will reportedly host 36 carriages, which can fill 25 people each. That means it will carry up to 12,000 people per day at its full capacity.
Visitors will be able to view tourism information projected onto the glass walls of each capsule using augmented reality technology. The government also intends to allow guests to "dine in the sky" by hosting catered banquets. It is projected to cost 400 billion won ($303.3 million).
Gondola lifts and moving walkways are being examined as part of the plans to give tourists easier access to Haneul Park. Visitors will be able to pick between climbing down the hill and using a paid golf cart service, thanks to this service.
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