China opens world's highest ferris wheel atop 1,480-ft tower

The world's highest ferris wheel is set to open for business today on top of a 1,480 ft tower in China with passengers riding in see-through pods

The world's highest ferris wheel is set to open for business today on top of a 1,480 ft tower in China with passengers riding in see-through pods.

Built on the 450-meter-high Canton Tower, known as the Guangzhou TV Tower, the amazing wheel consists of 16 pods holding a total of 96 fearless passengers.

An elliptical track has been constructed around the edge of the Canton Tower roof, and 16 transparent pods take between 20 and 40 minutes to go round the track

Each capsule is just over three metres wide, and built using a special macromolecule material which allows a 360-degree crystal clear view.

Unlike other ferris wheels, it has a 15-degree incline and can resist 8-magnitude earthquakes and Beaufort
scale 12 typhoons.

The attraction will cost visitors 130 Yuan each. Although it's described as a ferris, its passenger cars are not suspended from the rim of a wheel in the traditional fashion and the track is horizontal.

The tower is also known by its local nickname Xiao Man's waist which refers to a famous Geisha who used to entertain people during the reign of the tang Dynasty.

She was appreciated for her slim waist and the tower has a twisted and tight appearance.

In August, Las Vegas announced plans to build the world's tallest ferris wheel, which will be more than 100 feet higher than the London Eye. The London Eye is 443 feet tall.

Ground-breaking rides

1. Kingda Ka is the world's tallest rollercoaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, US. The top tower is 456 feet tall

2. Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is the world's fastest roller coaster with a top speed of 150mph, which it can reach in 4.9 seconds.

3.Takabisha is the world's steepest rollercoaster with a drop angle of 121 degreesu00a0 in Yamanashi, Japan.

4 Superman Ride of Steel in Massachusetts, US wins awards every year as the best rollercoaster in the country. It speeds over 77mph, has a 221 feet drop into a tunnel and 10 seconds of weightlessness