Forget the London Eye! Engineers want to build the world’s largest spokeless WHEEL in Seoul by 2025, which stands 591 feet tall and features stainless steel pods overlooking the city.
- Futuristic Seoul Ring to be built at Haneul Park in Seoul, South Korea
- Its spokeless design breaks with the traditional look of Ferris wheels.
- Seoul Ring to be symbolically located ‘geographically close to North Korea’
The London Eye, the Singapore Flyer, and Ferris wheels around the world have captured the attention of locals and tourists alike for decades.
But South Korea is going to take this to a higher level with plans to build the ‘The world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel, offering stunning views of its capital by 2025.
The futuristic Ring of Seoul breaks away from the traditional appearances of Ferris wheels thanks to ‘innovative technology’.
Its development will take place on a former landfill in Haneul Park, dubbed the “Gateway to Seoul” by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG).
In an announcement earlier this month, he said, “Seoul Ring will not only serve as an entertainment facility, but will also become a cultural complex that gives visitors the chance to experience the historical significance of Nanjido.”
Futuristic Ring of Seoul to be built at Haneul Park in Seoul, South Korea by 2025
‘Innovative technology’ will be used to make it look different from other Ferris wheels
‘In addition, it will offer a variety of festivals, cultural and tourism content and programs, and a place for communication.’
Once built, the wheel will stand 591 feet tall, according to CNN.
For comparison, it’s 149 feet taller than the UK’s famous London Eye, which stands at 442 feet.
The ring is also set to beat the world’s largest Ferris wheel in Shandong, China, which measures 475 feet high.
Visitors will have the chance to take in views of the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Mountain from their stainless steel pods.
The location was chosen from a number of alternative options, including Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, and Jamsil, which the SMG has been playing since last October.
But Haneul Park was ultimately chosen for its “symbolism of inter-Korean reconciliation.”
“Haneul Park is considered a significant place for its symbolism as a gate to both Seoul and unified Korea and as a place geographically close to North Korea that shows the harmony and reunification of the Korean race,” the SMG added.
He The wheel will reportedly house 36 carriages that can each be filled with 25 people.
Visitors will have the chance to take in views of the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Mountain from their pods.
The Ring of Seoul will be symbolically located in a park ‘geographically close to North Korea’
Haneul Park was ultimately chosen for its “symbolism of inter-Korean reconciliation”.
The SMG is consulting with international architectural and engineering experts to ensure the ring is safe and structurally sound.
The Seoul Ring will also incorporate green technologies that are in line with climate change and sustainability goals.
It comes as the city plans to develop more progressive infrastructure designs in partnership with the private sector.
The SMG added: ‘The Seoul Ring is expected to serve as the city’s new landmark that will enhance its global standing and urban competitiveness while revitalizing the local economy.
‘From Haneul Park, visitors can see the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Mountain.
“In addition, it is the best place to realize the city’s municipal vision of finding harmony between citizens, the planet, the future and the environment (ie carbon neutrality, climate change), given Haneul’s past Park as a dump”.
MailOnline has approached the SMG for comment.