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
The international community is strongly denouncing the US ambassador to Israel for his reckless remark that Israel has the right
February 28, 2026
The international community is strongly denouncing the US ambassador to Israel for his reckless remark that Israel has the right
The Slovak prime minister on February 21 warned that Slovakia would stop the power supply to Ukraine. Saying that Ukrainian
February 28, 2026
The Slovak prime minister on February 21 warned that Slovakia would stop the power supply to Ukraine. Saying that Ukrainian
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pang Kum Sun, a centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 32,
February 28, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Pang Kum Sun, a centenarian living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 32,
Football coach wins World Cup Merited Athlete Pak Song Jin is a football coach of the April 25 Sports Team. He cut a conspicuous
February 28, 2026
Football coach wins World Cup Merited Athlete Pak Song Jin is a football coach of the April 25 Sports Team. He cut a conspicuous
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
February 27, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
February 27, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
With sustained efforts toward victory Pang Chol Mi, a boxer and People’s Athlete of the Kumgangsan Sports Team, was born into a
February 27, 2026
With sustained efforts toward victory Pang Chol Mi, a boxer and People’s Athlete of the Kumgangsan Sports Team, was born into a
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, referred to Russia-Japan relations at a press conference on February 20.He
February 27, 2026
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, referred to Russia-Japan relations at a press conference on February 20.He
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations denounced Israel for its moves for territorial expansion at a recent op
February 27, 2026
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations denounced Israel for its moves for territorial expansion at a recent op
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has facilities for ho
February 27, 2026
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has facilities for ho
A grand art performance was given at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 in commemoration of the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
A grand art performance was given at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 in commemoration of the Ninth Congress of the
The number of residents in the Central Zoo is on the increase in the new year. According to an official of the zoo, five species
February 27, 2026
The number of residents in the Central Zoo is on the increase in the new year. According to an official of the zoo, five species
More than ten years have passed since the Workers’ Party of Korea put forward the policy on making all the people well versed in
February 27, 2026
More than ten years have passed since the Workers’ Party of Korea put forward the policy on making all the people well versed in
The Workers' Party of Korea, the vanguard of the Korean revolution, is ushering in a new era of building a powerful nation by
February 26, 2026
The Workers' Party of Korea, the vanguard of the Korean revolution, is ushering in a new era of building a powerful nation by
The first meeting of the Political Bureau of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the
February 26, 2026
The first meeting of the Political Bureau of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a closing address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Dear comrade
February 26, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a closing address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Dear comrade
The Iranian permanent representative to the United Nations condemned the US for its threat of war of aggression in a letter sent t
February 26, 2026
The Iranian permanent representative to the United Nations condemned the US for its threat of war of aggression in a letter sent t
The Belarus defence ministry on February 19 clarified to the military attachés of the embassies of 20-odd countries in its
February 26, 2026
The Belarus defence ministry on February 19 clarified to the military attachés of the embassies of 20-odd countries in its
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival's theme is "Steady
February 26, 2026
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival's theme is "Steady
Ryonggang County in Nampho Municipality is ensuring the full-capacity operation of the newly-built regional-industry factories and
February 26, 2026
Ryonggang County in Nampho Municipality is ensuring the full-capacity operation of the newly-built regional-industry factories and
More Articles
