Pohyon Temple
Nestled deep in the lush, pine-scented valleys of sacred Mount Myohyang ('Mysterious Fragrant Mountain') in Hyangsan County, Pohyon Temple (Pohyonsa) is one of the most famous and ancient Buddhist temple complexes in North Korea. Founded in 1042 CE during the Koryo Dynasty by Master Tamjin, the monastery grew into the paramount spiritual center of northern Korean Buddhism, encompassing over 24 distinct shrine halls and pagodas. Historically renowned as the stronghold of Great Master Sosan (Hyujung), who organized 5,000 warrior-monks (*S 승병*) to defend Korea against the Japanese Imjin invasions in 1592, the temple was heavily damaged by U.S. aerial bombings during the Korean War but meticulously restored as National Treasure #40. Shrouded in mountain mist and Buddhist lore, visitors and caretakers report disembodied chanting around the 13-story stone pagoda (*Sokka-tap*), phantom bells echoing through mountain fogs, and protective spirits of ancient warrior-monks guarding the sacred Tripitaka Koreana printing woodblocks.