Page | 14Choybalsan
Choybalsan is eastern Mongolia’s most important city and only true industrial city.^64
Located on the Herlen River, Choybalsan historically evolved from a monastic center to a
trading post lying along the route between Siberia and China. In 1939 a branch rail line
was built to the Soviet city of Boryza, providing linkage to the Trans-Siberian rail
network. The city also lies on a major east–west road network connecting it to
Ulaanbaatar and points to the west. Local industries include flour milling, meat
processing, and brickworks.^65
Moron
Pronounced “mu-roon,” Moron translates as
“river” in Mongolian, appropriate given the city’s
location just north of the Delgermoron River.66,^67
The town serves primarily as an administrative
center for Hogsvol Aymag. Nearby is one of the
world’s best collections of deer stones, ancient
monoliths depicting flying deer.^68
(^64) Roxane D. V. Sismanidis, “Chapter 3: The Economy: Industry: Structure of the Economy,” in Mongolia:
A Country Study, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991), 123.
(^65) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “Darhan,” 2011, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/
151546/Darhan
(^66) Michael Koln, “Northern Mongolia: Mörön,” in Mongolia, 5th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia:
Lonely Planet Publications, 2008), 149.
(^67) Jane Blunden, “Northern Region: Mörön,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt Travel
Guides Ltd., 2008), 325.
(^68) John Brundall, “Doing the Tourist Loop in North and Central Mongolia,” Suite101.com, 21 February
2011, http://www.suite101.com/content/doing-the-tourist-loop-in-north-and-central-mongolia-a