The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel
The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel, also known as the Yongle Bridge Tientsin Eye, is located at the intersection of Ligongci Street and Wuma Road in Hebei District, Tianjin, on Yongle Bridge. It spans the Hai River, connecting Hebei District and Hongqiao District. This Ferris wheel, combining bridge and wheel, serves both sightseeing and transportation purposes and is one of Tianjin's landmarks. Its installation was basically completed on April 22, 2008, and it officially opened to the public on April 16, 2009.
Architectural Layout
The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel has a diameter of 110 meters. It features 48 transparent cabins that offer a 360-degree view, each accommodating 8 people, allowing a total of 384 people to enjoy the view at the same time. It takes 28 minutes to complete one rotation, with a peak height of 119.8 meters. On October 20, 2010, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
History
On April 22, 2008, the installation of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel was basically completed, with all cabins installed.
On April 16, 2009, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel officially opened to the public.
On October 30, 2022, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel was temporarily closed.
On April 20, 2023, after upgrades and renovations, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel resumed operation.
Structural Form
Tower Structure
The tower structure of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel starts from both banks of the Baiziya River, with a base spacing of 125.4 meters. The tower serves as the supporting structure for the wheel, bearing the forces and bending moments transmitted from the wheel. The components are box-sectioned. From a side view, the three-legged components of the tower are in an inclined spatial plane at an angle of 9.624 degrees with the vertical plane. The crossbeam (main shaft) at the top of the tower columns is placed horizontally along the bridge, functioning like a large portal frame. From a front view, the tower, tower legs, and columns form a 120-degree angle, with stabilizing cables between the top of the columns and the bottom of the legs to ensure stability. The tower legs form a 30-degree angle with the horizontal plane, and under vertical loads, the base of the legs bears significant horizontal thrust. To balance this horizontal thrust, prestressed horizontal balancing cables are set between the four legs, concealed within the horizontal beams projecting from the sides of Yongle Bridge. The tower legs are anchored with pile foundation bases, fixed at the root.
Wheel Rim
The rotating part of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is a 110-meter diameter wheel rim, constructed with a triangular section steel tube truss structure. The outer rim rods use two steel tubes with a section of (457×30) mm, spaced 3.1 meters apart. The inner rim rod uses a single steel tube with a section of (530×30) mm. The wheel rim is connected to the slewing bearing through 48 alternately arranged radial cables, with 16 tangential cables along the direction of the slewing bearing to drive the Ferris wheel. The wheel rim is supported on the main shaft through the slewing bearing.
Main Shaft
The main shaft of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is a steel tube with a section of (2800×60) mm, installed at a height of 65 meters. The connection between the main shaft and the A-frame uses flanged connections, with flanges installed at both ends of the main shaft and the A-frame, connected by high-strength bolts once the main shaft is in place.
Wheel Rim Inner Rod Cable Node
The inner rod cable node of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is 590 mm long, 345 mm wide, and 350 mm high. It transmits the cable tension to the inner rim rod through two 40 mm thick steel plates, made of Q345 steel. The cable uses cold-cast swaged fittings, with the fixing nut installed on the lower cover plate of the node. Inside the node, longitudinal and transverse stiffeners are arranged to transmit the tension. Four 54 mm diameter bolt holes are arranged on the lower cover plate of the node for prestressing equipment.
Architectural Features
The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is a Ferris wheel built over a river, integrating both sightseeing and transportation functions. It is the only Ferris wheel in the world constructed on a bridge, making it a landmark of Tianjin.
Cultural Activities
On October 31, 2017, World Cities Day, Mobike held a themed night ride event in Tianjin titled "Ride to Light Up the City," promoting low-carbon and environmentally friendly travel by lighting up the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel through cycling.
From September 29 to early November 2021, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel launched a "Call for Entries," seeking cartoon mascots for the Ferris wheel from the public.
Awards
On October 20, 2010, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
Significance
Optimizing Tourist and Commercial Zones
The construction of the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel has optimized and integrated the landscape and river areas on both sides of Yongle Bridge, transforming previously scattered commercial areas into a cohesive whole. As a landmark, it enhances the efficiency of tourism by serving as a key reference point in routing and resource allocation.
Impact on Surroundings
Since its construction, the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel has stimulated the development of new five-star hotels and numerous budget hotels in the vicinity, boosting the local hospitality industry. Additionally, as a new landmark of Tianjin, merchandise such as model keychains and postcards featuring the Ferris wheel have become increasingly popular, promoting the growth of tourism-related products in the area.
Visiting Information
Location
The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is located on Yongle Bridge at the intersection of Ligongci Street and Wuma Road in Hebei District, Tianjin.
Transportation
By Car
The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is conveniently accessible by car, located just 0.3 kilometers from the Northern Horizontal Expressway. The scenic area provides a parking lot under Yongle Bridge, covering an area of 6000 square meters with 350 parking spaces.
Q&A
Q1: What makes the Tientsin Eye unique compared to other Ferris wheels around the world?
A1: The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel is unique because it is the only Ferris wheel in the world that is constructed over a bridge, integrating sightseeing and transportation functions. Its position on Yongle Bridge, which spans the Hai River, offers a unique perspective and functionality not found in other Ferris wheels.
Q2: What are the significant impacts of the Tientsin Eye on the local area?
A2: The Tientsin Eye has significantly boosted local tourism and the economy. Its construction led to the development of new luxury hotels and budget accommodations in the vicinity, improving the hospitality industry. Additionally, it has become a landmark of Tianjin, with merchandise like model keychains and postcards featuring the Ferris wheel becoming popular souvenirs, further supporting local businesses.
```