Beijing Great Wheel, Unfinished Ferris wheel in Chaoyang Park, China.
The Beijing Great Wheel is an unfinished Ferris wheel in Chaoyang Park that would have reached 208 meters in height. The structure was designed to accommodate 48 air-conditioned capsules, each holding approximately 40 passengers.
The project began in 2007 with hopes of opening the Ferris wheel before the 2008 Olympics, but construction stopped in 2010. The structure remained incomplete and never became operational.
The Ferris wheel reflected Beijing's efforts to establish modern recreational landmarks alongside traditional attractions during the pre-Olympic development period.
The location in Chaoyang Park makes it easy to visit and explore the site since it sits in an accessible public space. Visitors can view the exterior of the unfinished structure, but it is not open to the public or accessible for entry.
The Ferris wheel was designed with an innovative boarding system using continuous rotation, where passengers would enter through moving electric feeder vehicles. This automated concept was ahead of its time and would have allowed seamless passenger flow without stopping periods.
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