Ferris wheels became all the rage in the late 19th century; the iconic Giant Wheel in Vienna is one of the last from the era still in operation. More recently, Ferris wheels have had a revival, gracing skylines from London to Taipei to Singapore.

London

One of the largest structures in London, the success of the landmark London Eye, which was unveiled in 2000, started the modern Ferris wheel craze. The wheel was conceived for the millennium as a representation of the slow turning of time. Despite its massive size and weight, the wheel is surprisingly elegant, and has already become such a part of the London skyline it is difficult to imagine the city without it. From their elevated vantage point, passengers can admire a long sweep of the Thames and some of the most famous buildings in London from an unusual angle. On a clear day, views stretch for 40 kilometres to the countryside. The 32 pods (each of which holds up to 25 people) complete a circle every half-hour. Romantics can have champagne and canapés served during the journey.

WHY

The trendsetter for the 21st-century Ferris wheel probably does it in better style than any other.

WHERE

Jubilee Gardens on the Thames at South Bank near Westminster Bridge (Waterloo underground station).

HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has five daily flights from Doha to London.

Singapore

Still the world’s largest Ferris wheel at 165 metres high – as tall as a 42-floor building – the Sin-gapore Flyer sits over the city’s massive Marina Bay tourist development. It provides dazzling views over downtown skyscrapers, colonial buildings, and the Singapore River and harbour. It is especially stunning at night, when glittering lights are reflected in the water. Clear days allow you to see all the way to the Malaysian mainland and Indonesian islands. There are 28 capsules, 28 being an auspicious number for the Chinese. And it wouldn’t be Singapore without food: a restaurant beneath the Flyer dishes up traditional chilli crab. The wheel is also integrated with shopping, a rainforest atrium, a flight simulator that allows you to take ‘control’ of a Boeing 737, and a fish foot spa.


WHY
The Flyer is just one part of a vast waterfront redevelopment setting up 
the city-state as Asia's capital of tourism.

WHERE

The Flyer is on Raffles Avenue in The Quays (Promenade MRT station).

HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily flights from Doha to Singapore.

Beijing

The Beijing Great Wheel, under construction since 2007, will be the world’s largest when com-pleted at the end of this year. It will also hold more people: up to 40 passengers in 48 capsules. The wheel sits in Chaoyang Park, part of the area developed for the 2008 Olympic Games. On a clear day, passengers will be able to see across the city to the Great Wall.

WHY

China just keeps adding the superlatives: on its opening, this will be the biggest Ferris wheel in the world.

WHERE
The Great Wheel is in Chaoyang Park on East 
Fourth Ring Road (Tuanjiehu subway station).

HOW TO GET THERE

Qatar Airways flies non-stop from Doha to Beijing four times a week.