Whenever I visit a new international city for the first time, I try to look if they have a giant ferris wheel and if I can, I take a ride on it to get the best view of the city. So far, the best ones I’ve been on are the Singapore Flyer and the Budapest Eye. Of course I have a lot more to go as I haven’t been to places like the London Eye, High Roller, Dubai Eye, etc. It looks like I’ll be adding something new to my list in one of my favorite cities in the world: a landmark giant ferris wheel is coming to Seoul soon.
Designer: UNStudio
The Seoul Twin Eye will start construction sometime in 2025 and when finished, it will be the world’s tallest spokeless one with its planned 180 meters high structure. Aside from its height, it has a pretty unique design as it will have two intersecting rings that will carry pods going around both tracks. It can hold as many as 1,400 tourists at the same time, with 20-25 people fitting in each of the 64 capsules. This is actually double of what the London Eye is able to accommodate and currently it is one of the largest in the world.
The planned ferris wheel will be located on the edge of the Han River as part pf a 40-meter high cultural complex which Seoul is hoping to develop as part of public spaces for residents and tourists. Not only will you be able to ride such a huge ferris wheel but you’ll also get the best panoramic views of the city. The design is actually inspired by the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock that represents celestial objects moving through time.
Aside from the Seoul Twin Eye, there’s a proposal to also construct a monorail to have a direct connection from the subway station to the ferris wheel site. There is also a proposed zip line within the complex for those who prefer a much more adventurous experience, although it’s unclear if it will be connected to the ferris wheel directly. One thing’s for sure, once it is launched, it will add to the beauty and charm of Seoul and will become a must-see destination for locals and tourists alike.
