world's largest spokeless ferris wheel in korea triples as observatory and entertainment pods

Seoul Ring is world’s largest spokeless ferris wheel

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced its venture to build the dubbed world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel named Seoul Ring at Haneul Park in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Korea. Seoul Ring does take its design cues from a classic silver wedding band, only adopting steel as its main material. The spokeless Ferris wheel is slated to be constructed on the former landfill site in June 2025 as a symbol of the circular economy and climate action for both people and nature.

The dubbed world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel steers from the traditional design of the amusement ride and plans to use innovative technology, which is yet to be pinned down, to create an aesthetically advanced spokeless design. The city government says it consults with domestic and international experts in architecture and engineering to make sure that the construction and structural integrity of the Seoul Ring is safe and secure.

images courtesy of The Seoul Metropolitan Government

entertainment and cultural complex in one ride

Aside from being an amusement ride positioned at a park, the Seoul Metropolitan Government foresees Seoul Ring to triple as an entertainment facility and a cultural complex that provides visitors the experience to see Haneul Park from above and understand the historical meaning of Nanjido.

Looking at the design, the round steel is encased in transparent glass for its outer skin while a complete steel covering for its underside. Large individual steel pods with spacious interiors and generous windows for sightseeing slowly rotate. The Ferris wheel’s mechanism resembles moving walkways found in airports, but this time, the escalators follow the circular path of the design.

The dubbed world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel intends to serve a variety of festivals, and cultural and tourism programs to both visitors and locals. The city and government eye to build the Seoul Ring based on technologies in line with what can make its surroundings sustainable as part of the collective response to climate change.

‘seoul ring’ is slated to be constructed on the former landfill site at haneul park by 2025.

Seoul’s new city landmark

Seoul Ring is expected to serve as the city’s new landmark that enhances Seoul’s global position and urban competitiveness while also revitalizing its local economy. Before selecting Haneul Park, the local government was keen to find the most representative views of Seoul seen from the Hangang River and the spokeless ride.

The committee considered Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, and Jamsil alongside Haneul Park before narrowing down the list to Nodeul Island for its infrastructure and Haneul Park for its view and symbolism based on accessibility, neighboring tourism infrastructure, view, landmark, and balanced development.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government says that Haneul Park is regarded as a meaningful place drawn from its symbolism as a gate to both Seoul and a unified Korea. The park poses as a location geographically close to North Korea which shows the harmony and reunification of the Korean race.

‘seoul ring’ is expected to serve as the city’s new landmark that enhances seoul’s global position