Khökh Nuur (Blue Lake)

Where Temüjin Was Crowned Genghis Khan in 1189

Known in full as Khar Zurkhnii Khökh Nuur, or the “Blue Lake of the Black Heart,” this small freshwater lake in Tsenkhermandal soum is one of the most historically resonant sites in Mongolia. According to The Secret History of the Mongols, it was here in 1189 that Temüjin was first elected khan of the united Mongol tribes and given the title that would echo through history: Genghis Khan.

The Blue Lake of the Black Heart

The lake takes its name from Khar Zurkh, a dark, heart-shaped mountain that rises beside its shores. In reality two small interconnected lakes fed by underground springs, Khökh Nuur sits on the southern slope of the mountain at around 1,675 metres elevation, its crystal-clear water framed by forest and open grassland.

The Coronation of a Khan

After years of campaigning to unite Mongolia’s feuding tribes, Temüjin was proclaimed Khan of the Khamag Mongol confederation on the lake’s southern shore in 1189 — the first step toward the title Genghis Khan he would formally take in 1206. A monument erected for the 840th anniversary of his birth now stands on the shore, surrounded by fifty carved wooden figures depicting his family and generals.

A Living Historical Landscape

Round stone formations on the lake’s southern side, roughly fifteen metres in diameter, are thought by some researchers to be the remains of a ceremonial ger base connected to Temüjin’s enthronement. The surrounding hills and forest remain rich in birdlife and are popular for short hikes and horseback rides.

Gallery

• Stand at the exact site of Genghis Khan's 1189 coronation
• See the monument and carved figures honouring his generals
• Hike the trails around Khar Zurkh Mountain
• Ride horses through the surrounding forest-steppe