One Night in Seoul

Cho Minsuk, architect
Koreans love practically everything that comes out of the sea, and the best selection of live seafood can be found at Noryangjin, tel: (82-2) 813 3441, the fish market near Yoido Island. It's an enormous concrete building with row upon row of fishmongers hawking their wares. If you don't want to tote the day's catch home, you can take it to one of the many restaurants adjacent to the building and have your food cooked on the spot. Drinks and a meal will only set you back about $20. The restaurants stay open until midnight, which leaves you plenty of time to hit another gritty part of Seoul: Dongdaemun Market. This is a mixture of shopping malls and retail and wholesale stalls in their hundreds. Call the Tourist Information Center in Dongdaemun, tel: (82-2) 2236 9135, if you have queries. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi to get there from Noryangjin, and if you're looking for cheap sneakers and inexpensive clothing, this is the place to go. You can haggle to the wee hours of the morning. For a nightcap, head to Itaewon, near the U.S. military base, where there are plenty of bars and clubs.

Han Heekyoung, counselor for new residents, Seoul Metropolitan Government
Go to Lotte World, tel: (82-2) 411 2000, a giant indoor and outdoor amusement park that's not too dissimilar to Disneyland. It's only about a 20-minute subway ride from downtown Seoul — you get off at Jamshil Station — and it has plenty of great rides and things to do for children and adults alike. If you can, visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds and the long queues. After 5 p.m., admission to the park is cut from around $27 to about $23. You can still fit plenty in as the park stays open till 11 p.m., and there are lots of restaurants to choose from for dinner. After that, jump back on the train and head to Cheonggyecheon for a stroll along the 3.6-mile (5.8-km) stream near the presidential palace and Seoul City Hall. It's lit until 11 p.m. and there's an abundance of cafés by the stream if you need some caffeine to keep you going. If you still have energy, how about some karaoke? Hop on the subway again and go to the Gangnam station, taking exit No. 6. Behind the Giordano clothing shop there are plenty of good noribong, or karaoke rooms, where you can belt out a tune.

Lee Kyungho, Taekwondo referee
Start at Toksugu Palace in front of Seoul City Hall. Stroll down the footpath along the palace wall for a few minutes and on the left side of the road you will see the Seoul Museum of Art, tel: (82-2) 2124 8800. It's open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays during the winter months and has a wonderful traditional and contemporary art collection. After that, travel a few minutes further down the road to the Chongdong Theater, tel: (82-2) 751 1500, and you can take in a traditional Korean performing art such as pansori, or Korean opera. It's a good idea to call ahead to make a reservation. There are also plenty of inexpensive good restaurants in the area that serve up popular Korean dishes.