Seoul Racecourse

Enjoy a day at the races in luxurious grandstands, which hold 77,000 avid punters. Huge screens on the track show the odds, the races and close-ups of the horses. Short races around the sandy track take place every half-hour and bets are limited to W100,000. Foreigners can use their own smart and comfortable suite – just walk left into the new Lucky Ville grandstand, take the elevator to the 4th floor and turn right. English­-speaking staff are on hand, but betting is easy enough. Despite the big crowds (legal gambling opportunities are very restricted in Seoul) everything is well-organised. The only problem is picking the winners. The Equine Museum (admission free; open 9.30am-6pm) has modern displays of historical items relating to horses, some of which are surprisingly beautiful. Races are held every weekend except for New Year, Chuseok, late December (too cold) and late July and early August (too hot) – check the calendar on the website. Night races (first race at 3pm) are held in summer. From the subway, the racecourse is a 10-minute walk under a covered walkway. Or, to arrive in style, look over to the right of the subway station and you can usually see a horse and carriage for hire.