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
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
December 08, 2025
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
December 08, 2025
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
December 08, 2025
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
December 08, 2025
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
December 08, 2025
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
December 08, 2025
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
December 08, 2025
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
December 08, 2025
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
December 08, 2025
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
December 07, 2025
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
December 07, 2025
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
December 07, 2025
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
December 07, 2025
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
December 07, 2025
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
December 07, 2025
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 06, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
December 06, 2025
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
December 06, 2025
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
December 06, 2025
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
December 06, 2025
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
More Articles