Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- The Popun Temple is located in the southern part of Mt. Ryongak in Pyongyang. It was built in the period of Koguryo Kingdom (277 B.C.-668 A.D.) and reconstructed several times in the period of Ri Dynasty (1392-1910).

The temple, built at the foot of a bluff cliff, consists of a main building, Chilsong Pavilion, Sansin Pavilion and Toksong Pavilion.

The colorfully painted main building has a crane-shaped roof propped up by 14 pillars.

There is an 86.5 cm high Buddhist statute inside the main building.

The Chilsong Pavilion in the rear of the temple is a Buddhist sanctum where sacrifices were made to the Great Bear.

The Sansin and Toksong pavilions are small buildings.

Leader Kim Jong Il visited the temple in January Juche 98 (2009) and watched a priest praying to Amitabha.

The Popun Temple is one of the Korean nation's valuable cultural heritages.