The Star of Nanchang

When it opened for business in May 2006, the Star of Nanchang surpassed the London Eye to become the world’s tallest operating Ferris wheel. Standing at 160 meters it is now the second tallest Ferris wheel in the world, with Singapore’s ‘Flyer’, which opened in 2008, beating it by just 5 metres. Both are set to be dwarfed by Beijing’s Great Wheel, which is due to open in 2009 and is planned to be 208 metres tall.

The Star of Nanchang can accommodate up to 480 passengers in 61 gondolas, each of which can carry a maximum of 8 passengers. A single rotation of the wheel takes approximately 30 minutes and the slow rotation speed allows passengers to embark and disembark from the gondolas without any need for the rotation to be stopped.

Located on the eastern bank of the River Gan, the wheel offers spectacular views of the newly built Hong Gu Tan and Hong Jiao Zhou districts, BaYi, Nanchang and Sheng Mi bridges, as well as the river Gan itself.

Near the foot of the wheel are an outdoor swimming pool, a BBQ area, and a small amusement park. A new hotel, restaurant and bar area is being developed about 100 metres to the south and the Nanchang Exhibition Centre is just over the road.

Have you visited The Star of Nanchang? Leave your reviews in the comments section.