|The Star of Nanchang, China|
“Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels,” she sang, “the dizzy dancing way you feel.”
--Singer, composer Joni Mitchell.
Editor’s note: The world’s tallest Ferris Wheel is currently under construction in the U.S., in the country where it was invented in 1893. To celebrate, this blog is launching a year long series of monthly posts on Ferris Wheels from around the World. We started [Pillar to Post blog July 20, 2016] in Chicago, where a 33 year old engineer George Washington Ferris invented and had built the world’s first Ferris Wheel in 1893. Each following month we’ll spotlight another Ferris Wheel somewhere else in the world. This month we’re in Nanchang, China.
Star of Nanchang is a 525 foot tall giant Ferris wheel located in the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi Province. At one time it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world but since has been surpassed by Singapore, Las Vegas and soon New York Ferris wheels.
The Star, however remains an imposing engineering feat, which includes 60 enclosed air-conditioned gondolas, each carrying up to 8 passengers, for a maximum capacity of 480 passengers. A single rotation takes approximately 30 minutes; the slow rotation speed allows passengers to embark and disembark without the wheel having to stop turning.
The Star opened for business in May 2006, having cost 57 million yuan (roughly $7.3 million) to build. Formerly the world's tallest Ferris wheel, it was succeeded by the 541 foot Singapore Flyer which officially opened to the public on March 1, 2008. The Flyer was outpaced by the Las Vegas High Roller in 2014.
Other Ferris Wheel postings on Pillartopost.org
July, 20, 2016—Staten Island, New York
August 17, 2016—Las Vegas
September 21, 2016—Japan