Located in Taesong District, Pyongyang, the Kwangbop Temple was built under the reign of King Kwanggaetho of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).
The temple consists of the Haethal and Chonwang gates, Taeung Hall, east and west Buddhist monasteries, an octagonal five-storey pagoda, and others.
Buildings are distributed symmetrically along the central axis leading to a tower. The temple distribution system whereby buildings are laid out on four sides centring on a tower was often used in the period of Koguryo.
The Taeung Hall, the main building of the temple, was gorgeously painted. There are sculptures of young monks riding an elephant and lion at the Haethal Gate, while the Chonwang Gate has sculptures of Four Devas.
There remain a lotus pond which has been handed down since olden times, a monument to the Kwangbop Temple built in 1727 and a monument to the temple’s enlargement and painting built later. The monument to the Kwangbop Temple is inscribed with a legend of nine dragons and 99 ponds on Mt Taesongguryong.
The temple is a valuable cultural heritage site showcasing the developed architecture of the Korean nation and serves as a precious material for the study of the history and culture of Korea including the Koguryo dynasty.
More From Pyongyang Times
There recently took place a meeting of the supreme state council of the Russia-Belarus allied state in Moscow. It was attended by
March 07, 2026
There recently took place a meeting of the supreme state council of the Russia-Belarus allied state in Moscow. It was attended by
Recently, a tragicomic accident happened in the sky above Texas, the US, where a drone of the US Customs and Border Protection was
March 07, 2026
Recently, a tragicomic accident happened in the sky above Texas, the US, where a drone of the US Customs and Border Protection was
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met with winners of the Communist Mother Honour Prize at
March 07, 2026
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met with winners of the Communist Mother Honour Prize at
Women agricultural workers met with winners of the Communist Mother Honour Prize at the Hall of Culture in Wonhwa-ri of Phyongwon
March 07, 2026
Women agricultural workers met with winners of the Communist Mother Honour Prize at the Hall of Culture in Wonhwa-ri of Phyongwon
In the DPRK, it is a social climate to help and lead one another forward between people. Many Korean people respect revolutionary
March 07, 2026
In the DPRK, it is a social climate to help and lead one another forward between people. Many Korean people respect revolutionary
Military-civilian meetings took place in North Phyongan, South Hwanghae, Kangwon and North Hamgyong provinces and Nampho and
March 07, 2026
Military-civilian meetings took place in North Phyongan, South Hwanghae, Kangwon and North Hamgyong provinces and Nampho and
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from the China Dandong Branch of the Kim Il Sung-Kim Jong Il Foundation
March 07, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from the China Dandong Branch of the Kim Il Sung-Kim Jong Il Foundation
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic
March 07, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry of China at a press conference on February 28 denounced Japan for its moves to revive militar
March 06, 2026
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry of China at a press conference on February 28 denounced Japan for its moves to revive militar
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a reply message to To Lam, general secretary of the Central
March 06, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a reply message to To Lam, general secretary of the Central
An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the decisions
March 06, 2026
An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the decisions
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an emergency meeting on February 26 to reject Israel’s moves to expand its territory.
March 05, 2026
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an emergency meeting on February 26 to reject Israel’s moves to expand its territory.
Populations are rapidly decreasing in many countries. The Japanese Ministry of Welfare and Labour announced in August last year
March 05, 2026
Populations are rapidly decreasing in many countries. The Japanese Ministry of Welfare and Labour announced in August last year
The first full moon day (the 15th day of the first month according to lunar calendar), or jongwoldaeborum, added pleasure and
March 05, 2026
The first full moon day (the 15th day of the first month according to lunar calendar), or jongwoldaeborum, added pleasure and
China decided on February 24 to impose sanctions against Japan as regards the Japanese authorities’ ever-undisguised moves to
March 04, 2026
China decided on February 24 to impose sanctions against Japan as regards the Japanese authorities’ ever-undisguised moves to
Russia is bitterly denouncing and rejecting the West’s adventurist moves to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons.At a UN Security
March 04, 2026
Russia is bitterly denouncing and rejecting the West’s adventurist moves to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons.At a UN Security
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received flower baskets from the National Committee of the All Progressive Congress of Nigeria
March 04, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received flower baskets from the National Committee of the All Progressive Congress of Nigeria
The grand art performance "Song Dedicated to the Motherly Party", which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
March 04, 2026
The grand art performance "Song Dedicated to the Motherly Party", which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the
March 04, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the
Russia commemorated the Day of Defenders of the Motherland on February 23. Russian President Vladimir Putin presented a wreath at
March 03, 2026
Russia commemorated the Day of Defenders of the Motherland on February 23. Russian President Vladimir Putin presented a wreath at
More Articles
