Happy TravellerWelcome to Mörön, the administrative center of Khövsgöl Aimag in northern Mongolia. This small city, also known as Murun, is often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, but it is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Mörön is situated on the banks of the Delgermörön river and covers approximately 102.9 km2. The city has a population of 46,918 and is considered a major city such as Ulaanbaatar, Darhan, Erdenet, and Choibalsan.
History:
Mörön’s history dates back to the early 19th century when the Möröngiin Khuree monastery was founded on the banks of the Delgermörön river. The monastery had grown to a population of about 1300 lamas by the beginning of the 20th century but was destroyed in 1937. A small new monastery (Danzadarjaa Khiid) was erected on the western edge of the town in the 1990s.
Population:
Most of the inhabitants in Mörön live in ger districts.
Education:
Mörön has a total of 27 educational institutions. There are eight national, one private high schools, thirteen national, four private kindergartens, one vocational training center, and a university. The city had a total of 14,865 students as of 2020. The two main institutions are the Delgermurun and Erdmiin Dalai.
Airport:
The Mörön Airport has two runways, one paved and one gravel, and is served by regular flights from and to Ulaanbaatar. It has a first-class capacity of 150 passengers per hour.
Climate:
Mörön experiences a continental semi-arid climate with a subarctic temperature regime resulting in long, very dry, frigid winters and short, warm summers.
Notable buildings:
There were 60 temples and monasteries in Mörön at the end of the 19th century. Möröngiin Chüree Khiid Monastery was the most important one, with around 2500 monks living there. However, it was destroyed by order of the then president Khorloogiin Choibalsan in 1937, like everywhere in Mongolia. Danzadardscha Khiid, a small new monastery, was built in the western part of Mörön in June 1990, and 40 monks are living there. The Aimag Museum, founded in 1949, is halfway between the Central Square and the Wrestlers Stadium. It shows about 4000 objects, including traditional clothes and other items of minorities living in Khövsgöl Aimag. The Wrestlers Stadium is an interesting modern building in the eastern part of the town, and in front of it, a memorial was erected to honor three famous wrestlers stemming from Mörön.
Museum:
The Khövsgöl province’s local history museum operates with 13 employees, 3 halls, consisting of 3693 exhibits and artifacts from 1860 locations. Rare and valuable exhibits include 108 tomes of Ganjuur (also known as Kanjur) scripture, mammoth tusks, a meteor that weighs about 52.5 kilograms, as well as a flint gun and sword of Chingunjav who was the Khalkha prince ruler of the Khotogoid among other historical and ethnographic artifacts.
In conclusion, Mörön may be a small town, but it is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the city’s ancient monasteries, learn about its rich history and traditions, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the surrounding countryside. Whether you are a history buff, an adventurer, or simply looking to relax in an idyllic setting, Mörön has something to offer everyone. Come and discover the hidden gem that is Mörön, Mongolia.
