10 most unusual elevators in the world

It would seem, well, what is special about the elevator? Well, yes, a convenient design for quick movement between floors. Well, yes, there are interesting panoramic options to make it more pleasant to admire the opening views. Well, yes, some are even very fast, so you won’t even have time to take a picture in them properly.

But is it really surprising for a modern person who knows about fashionable technologies? As it turned out, elevators can give us very unexpected surprises.

Today we will only talk about this lifting structure and make an excursion to various countries where, unnoticed by many people, truly unique specimens have appeared on the planet.

Meet the 10 most amazing elevators on the planet.

10 Chinese Bailong

Such a beautiful name was received not by one elevator, but by the whole complex, which impresses with its length and openness of structures. It is located not just anywhere, but in the reserve of Hunan province, where it delivers large tourist groups to the very top of a sheer cliff. The height of the latter is about 360 meters, and at the top there is a magnificent panorama of the national park.

Bailong was designed in 2001 and includes 3 spacious cabins, 2 floors each. 50 people can safely crammed into one cabin, since the carrying capacity is 3750 kg. Transparent walls and fast speed give tourists real adrenaline from the tour.

9. Skytower skyscraper in New Zealand

Of course, we are not interested in the chic skyscraper itself, but in the lifting mechanism installed there. A person feels the fullness of emotions from the speed of movement and the moment that there is no visible support under the feet in the bodice, which became possible thanks to the transparent floor.

The height is 328 meters, which forces you to say the affirmation “just don’t look down.” Almost all the way the cabin is outside, and then moves inside the room itself.

But not so much the ascent is terrible as the descent, which was appreciated by avid lovers of extreme sports. This is a free ride.

8. Berlin lift-aquarium AquaDom

If you want to get aesthetic pleasure, go to the famous Radisson Hotel, which is not stingy for the comfort of its guests. Located in the heart of Berlin, the hotel offers a ride on a cylindrical lift inside the aquarium.

The two-story acrylic glass structure is absolutely transparent and allows you to enjoy the real water world full of various representatives of flora and fauna during the movement. Cabin capacity is about 30 people.

So, staying at a hotel, you get an underwater excursion several times a day – the children will definitely be delighted. By the way, the number of storeys of the building itself is also considerable – 25 sites. The aquarium is filled with 900 thousand liters of sea water, where more than 1,5 thousand different fish have settled.

7. Elevator lift Elevador di Santa Justa

In hot Portugal, in addition to local attractions, you can appreciate the elevator, rebuilt since 1901. Since then, the ancient structure has already become a local “trick”, as it remains the only vertical elevator in the city.

On top of the structure there is a point for the sale of snacks, as well as an observation deck, from where a beautiful panorama of the city opens. The elevator is made in neo-gothic style, so the selfies will turn out to be breathtaking. Its height is 45 meters, and each booth can accommodate up to 25 people of average build.

6. vacuum lift

Just a godsend for fans of science fiction and everything futuristic. The Daytona Elevator Corporation decided to be one of the first to embody fantasies from utopian works, where humanity could overcome distances in glass capsules.

The company’s scientists have invented a pneumatic, and even a vacuum design, which operates with the help of a special pump. Air pressure is created, which pushes the elevator in the right direction.

All cabins are made of special organic glass, and the capsule moving technology itself helps to do without cables, cables and other similar communications. This design has no analogues so far, which allows the company to skim the cream.

5. OTIS double deck elevators

The corporation works for skyscrapers, which have a very high load. Two-story elevators have become relevant, providing an optimal flow of passengers. Otis’ designs place the cabins strictly on top of each other, which allows the use of a common (one) lifting mechanism.

Entrances to the cabins are located not only from the outside, but also from the inside at all levels. It is quite difficult to manage such colossus, so not every organization can afford such a luxury.

4. The largest elevator in Umeda Hankyu Building

Developed Japan boasts the coolest skyscrapers. And in the city of Osaka there is a unique business center, where the largest elevators on the planet (5 pieces) are installed.

Each cabin occupies an area of ​​7 square meters and safely accommodates 80 people of average build (carrying capacity is 5250 kg).

The size of one such cabin can be compared to a standard bedroom in a residential building. Interestingly, one of the walls of the elevator was made of bulletproof glass – it is through it that an interesting view of the city opens when moving.

3. Ship lift Falkirk Wheel

The elevator is not designed to move people, but to transport goods between the Fort Clyde and Union Canals in Switzerland. It was opened back in 2002, becoming a unique rotating ship lift on the planet.

The difference between the levels of the above channels is 24 meters (approximately the height of an eight-story building). On different sides of the wheel of the lift there are recesses with water, where ships with cargoes swim.

After that, the wheel turns 180 degrees, transporting ships from one level to another in a few minutes. A truly unique design!

2. Tallest outdoor lift Hammetschwand

While in Switzerland, try to take a ride on the outdoor lift that transports tourists from the rocky path to the viewpoint of Mount Burgenstock. When you reach your destination, you will be able to contemplate the famous Lake Lucerne. You are invited to overcome a height of 153 meters in less than 1 minute. The elevator was built in 1903 and reconstructed in 1935. Interestingly, it was Bond who climbed on it during the filming of Goldfinger.

1. Hydraulic lift in the Louvre

Our review is completed by a technological novelty installed in a world-famous museum. The design is put forward as if from the floor, which amazes first-time tourists. The elevator takes people to the right level, allowing you to watch the legendary Louvre halls through the transparent walls. The futuristic mechanism is hydraulically driven and has an open top – really worth appreciating.

So, imperceptibly for us, technological progress is advancing by leaps and bounds. I wonder what unique elevators will appear in a couple of decades?