December 31, 2025Dec 31, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Pohyon Temple houses many national architectural assets

Date: 23/09/2020 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

The Taeung Hall and octagonal 13-storey pagoda at the Pohyon Temple in Mt Myohyang.

Pohyon Temple, a building in the period of Koryo Kingdom, is located on Mt Myohyang, one of the celebrated mountains of Korea.

After the construction of the temple in 1042, the temple was rebuilt on several occasions.

The temple consisted of 24 buildings and towers, but more than 20 blocks of buildings and tens of thousands of historical relics were destroyed and burned away due to the indiscriminate bombing of the enemies during the past Fatherland Liberation War.

After the war, several buildings including Taeung Hall and Manse Pavilion were restored to their original states.

The Taeung Hall, main building of the temple, is the most magnificent and majestic among the buildings of the Pohyon Temple with elegant form of roof, golden paintings in silk pattern, delicate ornamental sculptures and colourful paintings over all building parts and elements.

The Manse Pavilion standing uniquely on the sloping geographical position fully exhibits the gracefulness of the building in perfect harmony with gorgeous red and blue paintings and nine-storey pagoda in the front yard.

As the Pohyon Temple keeps the 80 000 Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures and their wood blocks in their original state, it adds dignity to the building which had been famous historically as the major base of the spread of Buddhism in Korea.

The temple is also associated with the patriotic struggle of ancestors. When foreign invaders set fire to the temple of Mt Myohyang in 1216, the Koryo people fought against aggressors and killed over 2 400 enemies including their commander.

During the Imjin Patriotic War between 1592 and 1598, Saint Sosan aroused monks across the country to organize the army and fought bravely despite his advanced age of over 70, rendering distinguished services in the fight against foreign invaders.

The Pohyon Temple, along with the beautiful scenery of Mt Myohyang, is well preserved and managed as one of the priceless national cultural heritages showing the medieval architecture of Korea.

More From Pyongyang Times

Putin calls for fighting against history distortion

Putin calls for fighting against history distortion

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for fighting against the distortion of history as he addressed an informal summit meeting

December 30, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for fighting against the distortion of history as he addressed an informal summit meeting

Iranian FM criticizes hypocritical act of West

Iranian FM criticizes hypocritical act of West

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry censured the West for its hypocritical act at a press conference on December 22. The

December 30, 2025

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry censured the West for its hypocritical act at a press conference on December 22. The

New houses built in North Phyongan Province

New houses built in North Phyongan Province

New modern houses have been built in Amdu-ri of Jongju City, Pongnin-ri of Pakchon County and Pugil-ri of Unjon County in North

December 30, 2025

New modern houses have been built in Amdu-ri of Jongju City, Pongnin-ri of Pakchon County and Pugil-ri of Unjon County in North

Lots of rural youth workteams and sub-workteams reap good harvest

Lots of rural youth workteams and sub-workteams reap good harvest

The rich harvest in the socialist farm fields of the DPRK this year is associated with the efforts of the rural youth workteams

December 30, 2025

The rich harvest in the socialist farm fields of the DPRK this year is associated with the efforts of the rural youth workteams

New Year greeting cards issued

New Year greeting cards issued

Creators of the Art and Literature Publishing House and the Korean Central Fine Arts Studio and lecturers and students of

December 30, 2025

Creators of the Art and Literature Publishing House and the Korean Central Fine Arts Studio and lecturers and students of

Unsan Paper Mill inaugurated in South Phyongan Province

Unsan Paper Mill inaugurated in South Phyongan Province

At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are

December 29, 2025

At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are

Children’s rights and future of humankind

Children’s rights and future of humankind

To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h

December 29, 2025

To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h

New houses built at farms in South Phyongan Province

New houses built at farms in South Phyongan Province

New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in

December 29, 2025

New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in

Chinese FM rejects Japan’s ‘theory of nuclear possession’

Chinese FM rejects Japan’s ‘theory of nuclear possession’

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D

December 29, 2025

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D

Yearly economic plan fulfilled at Sangwon Cement Complex

Yearly economic plan fulfilled at Sangwon Cement Complex

The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and

December 29, 2025

The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and

Title of model law-observance unit conferred

Title of model law-observance unit conferred

A ceremony of awarding the title of model law-observance unit to the units exemplary in socialist law observance took place at the

December 29, 2025

A ceremony of awarding the title of model law-observance unit to the units exemplary in socialist law observance took place at the

New houses built in rural areas of Nampho

New houses built in rural areas of Nampho

Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are

December 28, 2025

Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South

December 28, 2025

Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South

More Articles