“SEOUL: THE MONOCLE TRAVEL GUIDE SERIES”

The South Korean capital is energetic and sprawling; it’s a 24-hour city that’s home to some 10 million people and plenty of brightly lit billboards, skyscrapers and shops. The Monocle Travel Guide to Seoul looks past the dazzling lights to discover what, and who, have brought this late-blooming city careering into the 21st century. Its streets may be tricky to navigate but Seoul’s inhabitants are turning it into an accessible and playful metropolis that respects its roots while embracing the future.

We’ve amassed our favourite architectural feats – from a women’s university to an ivyclad red-brick church – and sipped our way through the snappiest coffee shops, including one in an old printing press. The hotels we long to hunker down in vary from glittering glass towers to traditional hanok. Plus, we’ve mapped out four top-notch itineraries.

The Monocle team is your guide as you explore the nouvelle cuisine in the city’s up and coming restaurants that are revitalizing classic dining. Step off the beaten path and into galleries showcasing works that will inspire future art world trends. Escape the crowds and the tourists in laid-back local bars and classy clubs. And then bundle up in designer goods from the best unknown boutiques as you stroll through history and romance. Paris is a wonderland. This is your ticket.