The Podok Hermitage is situated in Manphok Valley of Inner Kumgang on Mt Kumgang. It is said it was built for the first time during the Koguryo dynasty and rebuilt in 1675.

   It looks as if it was hanging on the steep cliff on the right side of the Punsol Pool in Manphok Valley, presenting a peculiar appearance.

   People are struck with admiration at the sight of the peculiar architecture in which a copper pillar supports the hermitage protruding from the thrilling cliff.

   The hermitage originally consisted of two buildings; the main hall built on the tip of the cliff blocking the entrance to the Podok Cave and the other built on the cave.

   The main hall is a single-roomed house sitting against the rocks at the entrance to Podok Cave. It has one bay both at the façade and on the flank, which is supported by a 7.3m-high copper pillar in the middle of the 20m-high cliff. Its roofs are in three tiers with the lowest one of the overlaid hip-saddle roof type, the middle one of the gable roof type and the highest one of the shed roof type, thus covering the bedrocks.

   Such unique architecture showcases the resourcefulness and talents of the Korean ancestors.