Seoul Ring Zero will have 36 carriages that can accommodate up to 25 passengers each, or up to 12,000 people daily. - SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
SEOUL (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network): The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a plan on Wednesday (March 8) to build the world’s tallest hubless Ferris wheel on the banks of Han River near the World Cup Stadium in northwestern Seoul.
The 180m Ferris wheel on the landfill-turned-grassland Haneul Park, which is located on a hilltop, will be the tallest one of its kind, the city government said.
The world’s tallest spokeless Ferris wheel, at 145m, opened in Shandong province in China in 2017.
The Ferris wheel will also be the second-tallest among all Ferris wheels in the world after the 250m Ain Dubai on Bluewaters Island in United Arab Emirates, Seoul added.
Tentatively named “Seoul Ring Zero”, visitors riding the wheel will be able to see the city from a height of 276m above sea level, standing taller than some of Seoul’s popular observation landmarks, including the 63 Building in the financial district of Yeouido.
Construction of the Seoul Ferris wheel will begin in 2025, with completion expected by 2027.
Seoul Ring Zero will have 36 carriages that can accommodate up to 25 passengers each, or up to 12,000 people daily.
With the use of augmented reality technology, tourism information will be projected onto the glass walls in each capsule-shaped carriage.
The government also hopes to allow patrons to “dine in the sky” by organising catered banquets.
The wheel frame, meanwhile, will be designed to generate solar power.
“(Seoul) has long reviewed the feasibility of Ferris wheels given the millions of tourist visits expected and jobs created, but the fundraising challenges and safety regulations have left plans in disarray,” said the director general Hong Sun-ki, of Future Urban Spaces Planning Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, at a briefing.
“Now is the time to wipe out concerns and build the Ferris wheel under a feasible plan to reveal the true value of the Han River and open the way for the era when some 30 million tourists visit Seoul.”
Seoul will also consider installing gondola lifts and moving walkways to give tourists greater access to Haneul Park, where visitors can choose to either climb up to from the bottom of the hill or take a paid golf-cart shuttle service.
The project, on a 20,000sq m lot, will cost a total of 400 billion won (US$303 million), according to Seoul.
The Seoul government will accept construction proposals from private-sector companies until June.
The plan was first revealed by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on March 3 during his regular meeting with diplomatic corps in Korea.
