Beijing's Ferris wheel, when it opened for the Beijing Olympic Games, was 63 meters higher than the 135-meter London Eye record-holder. Riders on the 198-meter-diameter Ferris wheel have 40 minutes to enjoy views of China's capital city.
The Shanghai Kiss Ferris wheel, located on an 8.6-acre site along the Huangpu River, has a 170-meter diameter. Its 36 pods allow 1,100 passengers to view the Shanghai Skyline, The Pearl Tower and the Jin Mao Building.
Although it's not the world's highest or largest, Canada's largest observation wheel offers the best views of a natural wonder. The Niagara SkyWheel is 53 meters high. Located in the Clifton Hill area of Niagara Falls, Ontario, the Niagara SkyWheel has fully enclosed gondolas, equipped with heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort. Large UV protected, non-reflective glass reduces glare for picture-taking.
Six gondolas board passengers at the same time. Each gondola holds up to eight passengers. Passengers have breathtaking day and night views of Horseshoe and American Falls, the city of Niagara Falls and beyond. The ride duration varies from 12 to 15 minutes.
The Niagara SkyWheel is an example of international partnership. It was designed by Ronald Bussink Professional Rides of Switzerland and manufactured by Chance Rides in Wichita, Kansas. The gondolas were manufactured in Switzerland and supplied by CWA, a worldwide supplier of ski lift gondolas. The axle, spokes and rings were manufactured in Germany and Chance Rides supplied the tower legs. High tech control systems were designed and built by Siemens.
