The London Eye, Singapore Flyer and Ferris wheels across the world have been capturing the attention of locals and tourists alike for decades.
But South Korea is to take this up a notch with plans to build the ‘world’s largest’ spokeless Ferris wheel, offering stunning views of its capital by 2025.
The futuristic Seoul Ring breaks away from traditional appearances of Ferris wheels thanks to ‘innovative technology’.
Its development will take place at a former landfill site in Haneul Park – dubbed as a ‘gateway to Seoul’ by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG).
In an announcement earlier this month, it said: ‘Not only will Seoul Ring serve as an entertainment facility, but also it will become a cultural complex that provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the historical meaning of Nanjido.
The futuristic Seoul Ring is to be built in Seoul’s Haneul Park, South Korea by 2025
‘Innovative technology’ will be used to make its appearance different to other Ferris wheels
‘In addition, it will provide a variety of festivals, cultural and tourism contents and programs, and a place for communication.’
Once constructed, the wheel will be 591-foot-high, according to CNN.
For comparison, this is 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 tall.
Visitors will have the opportunity to gaze out at the sights of the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Montain from its stainless steel pods.
The location was picked out from a number of alternative options including Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, and Jamsil, which the SMG has been toying over since last October.
But Haneul Park was eventually chosen for its ‘symbolism of inter-Korean reconciliation’.
‘Haneul Park is deemed a meaningful place for its symbolism as a gate to both Seoul and unified Korea and as a location geographically close to North Korea which shows the harmony and reunification of the Korean race,’ the SMG added.
The wheel will reportedly host 36 carriages that can each be filled with 25 people.
Visitors will have the opportunity to gaze out at the sights of the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Montain from its pods
The Seoul Ring will be symbolically located in a park ‘geographically close to North Korea’
Haneul Park was eventually chosen for its ‘symbolism of inter-Korean reconciliation’
The SMG is consulting with international experts in architecture and engineering to ensure the ring is safe and structurally sound.
The Seoul Ring will also incorporate eco-friendly technologies which are in line with climate change and sustainability goals.
It comes as the city plans to develop more progressive infrastructural designs in partnership with the private sector.
The SMG added: ‘Seoul Ring is expected to serve as the city’s new landmark that enhances its global position and urban competitiveness while also revitalizing the local economy.
‘From Haneul Park, visitors can see the Hangang River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhansan Montain.
‘In addition, it is the best place to realize the city’s municipal vision of finding harmony among citizens, planet, future, and environment (i.e. carbon neutrality, climate change), given the past of Haneul Park as a landfill site.’
MailOnline has approached the SMG for comment.
