Anhwa Temple, North Korea

Anhwa Temple, North Korea

Anhwa Temple is situated in Sunchon County, Pyongyang, the capital of South Pyongan Province in North Korea. It was initially constructed in 466 AD during the Goguryeo era as a Buddhist temple. As Buddhism waned across the Korean Peninsula, the temple also became a ruin. In 1592, King Seonjo of Joseon discovered the remains of the temple while passing by. He found the location picturesque and, unable to bear seeing the temple decay, ordered its restoration using public funds within a month. Over time, the temple collapsed and was rebuilt multiple times. Its current structure dates back to the reconstruction in 1786.

Only two buildings—the Main Buddha Hall (Daewungjeon) and the Taepingru Pavilion—along with stupas and stone monuments, have survived at Anhwa Temple to this day. The Main Buddha Hall, a key structure built on a raised platform, features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof and measures 17.04 meters in width (five bays) and 13.2 meters in depth (four bays), making it a two-story building—an extremely rare architectural style on the Korean Peninsula. Inside the hall hangs a large portrait of Sakyamuni Buddha spanning three bays, above which three tiers of decorative elements are displayed, with three Buddha statues enshrined at the front. From the outside, it appears to be a two-story building, but the interior was originally designed as a single-story structure. The Taepingru Pavilion displays a horizontal plaque inscribed with the Chinese characters for “Anhwa Temple of Phoenix and Unicorn Mountain.” Inside the pavilion, there is a calligraphy plaque personally inscribed by King Jeongjo, the 19th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, reading “Taepingru.” Beside the temple stands an ancient ginkgo tree planted in the 14th century. The tree stands 27 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 10 meters and a crown diameter of approximately 18 meters. It has more than ten branches and was designated as Natural Monument No. 31 of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in January 1980, receiving legal protection. It is also regarded as a treasured tree by the people of Pyongyang.

Angok Temple of North Korea

Must-visit reason: One of the most significant Buddhist temples in South Pyongan Province

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: North Korea[North Korea]

Province/State where the attraction is located: South Pyongan Province [South Pyongan Province]

City where the attraction is located: Pyongyang [P'yŏngsŏng]