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While the northern half of Seoul has some notable pieces of contemporary architecture, it’s south of the Han River that you’ll see the most ambitious buildings, most of which benefit from showcase spots along super-wide boulevards. Apgujeong and Gangnam are both worth visiting at night to admire the lighting effects playing across luminous shell façade of the Galleria mall and the electronic art pillars lining Gangnam-daeru. Among other favourites buildings I’ve spotted are:

Horim Art Center (tel 541 3525; www.horimartcenter.org; adult/child W8000/5000; 10.30pm-6pm Tue, Thu-Sun, until 8pm on Wed; bline 3 to Apgujeong, Exit 6) Designed by Tehje Architecture Office this is exactly the sort of stylish complex you’d expect to find in chic Apgujeong, but so often don’t. The building’s design was inspired by pottery and inside the lustrous walls you’ll find a museum devoted to this Korean art form.

Kring Gumho Culture Complex (www.kring.co.kr) Looking like a giant music speaker crossed with a slab of Swiss cheese this incredible steel-clad building, designed by Unsangdong Architects (www.usdspace.com) appears particularly dramatic when illuminated at night. Inside are offices, exhibitions spaces, a cinema and a café.

Tangent Hyundai Development Company commissioned Daniel Libeskind to work with Seoul-based firm Himma on their headquarters – the result is one of Seoul’s boldest architectural statements, an enormous sculpture in glass, concrete and steel, reminiscent of a painting by Kandinsky.