World's Tallest Ferris Wheel: Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer Is The Tallest Ferris Wheel In the World
At 541 feet (42 stories) tall the Singapore Flyer is an impressive example of Singapore's modern architecture. The observation wheel overtook China’s Star of Nanchang (520 ft.), which had only two years earlier taken the title from the London Eye (440 ft.), to become the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.
Since it’s opening the wheel have been hugely popular (1.9 million visitors in 2008) offering visitors a spectacular panorama across the city and the unique experience of viewing three countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The 30 minute "flight" on the wheel, which is located in the Singapore's Marina, will cost S$29.50 and should be an unforgettable experience.
A Short History Of The Ferris Wheel
The Singapore Flyer is the latest in a long line of Ferris wheels that have been ferrying people into the sky for over one hundred years, since George Ferris designed the Chicago Wheel. This first revolutionary wheel was the centerpiece of Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and people has been enjoying these spectacular rides ever since.
Like the majority of early wheels Ferris’ first creation was only a temporary exhibit and after been moved to St. Louis, Missouri, it was demolished. Ferris wheels would continue to act as temporary exhibits at fairs and exhibitions for the next one hundred years. Even the London Eye built in 2000 was originally designed to be a temporary structure; it is only in recent years that Ferris wheels have been constructed to be permanent tourist attractions.
The World’s Tallest Ferris Wheels
- 1893: Chicago Wheel- Chicago, USA- 260 ft.
- 1895: The Great Wheel- London, UK- 310 ft.
- 1900: Grande Roue de Paris- Paris, France- 330 ft.
- 1997: Tempozan Harbor Village Ferris Wheel- Osaka Japan- 369 ft.
- 1999: Daikanransha- Odaiba, Japan- 380 ft.
- 2000: London Eye- London, UK- 440 ft.
- 2006: Star of Nanchang- Nanchang, China, 520 ft.
- 2008: Singapore Flyer- Singapore, 541 ft.
The Future Of The World's Tallest Ferris Wheel
Following the success, and overwhelming public approval, of the London Eye the world has seen a burst of giant observation wheel building. The Singapore Flyer’s reign as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel may be even shorter than its predecessor as cities around the world construct their own wheels. Standing at 570 feet tall the Great Berlin Wheel will become the tallest in the world when it opens at the end of 2009. This wheel too will quickly be surpassed by the Beijing Great Wheel, which is scheduled for completion in 2010 and will stand at 682 feet tall.
The World's Tallest Ferris Wheel: Singapore Flyer
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The Singapore Flyer: A Modern Ferris Wheel
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