Once one of the largest of the hundreds of temples located in scenic Mount Kumgang, the complex was destroyed by US bombings during the Korean War.

Singye Temple was founded under the kingdom of Silla in 519, which favored Buddhism as its state religion.

Unlike many other Korean temples, which have free-standing gates at their entrance, the temple's entrance gate is located under Manse Pavilion (萬歳樓, "Pavilion of Ten thousand years"), a two-storey structure with storage on the first floor and a meditation room on the second.

In the temple's central courtyard stands a Silla Dynasty stone pagoda, carved with intricate depictions of various Buddhist guardian deities.

It also housed a collection of icons and nine statues of various Buddhist guardians, saints (arhats), and deities.