On October 1, “An Exhibition Commemorating the Southward Evacuation of the Palace Museum’s Artifacts” opened to the public at the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men) Exhibition Hall. The exhibition features over 100 items (or sets) of archival documents and valuable cultural artifacts, offering a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the Palace Museum’s arduous excavation journey to the south.

The exhibition on this heroic cultural legacy is co-hosted by the Palace Museum, the National Humanity History Magazine under People’s Daily Press, and the Sheen Chuen-Chi Cultural & Educational Foundation, and co-organized by the Palace Museum’s Archive (Museum History Exhibition Hall) and China Mobile’s Migu Cultural Technology Co., Ltd. The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025.  

The southward evacuation was an extraordinary chapter in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Artifacts were relocated from North China to different provinces in the country’s southwest region. Over two decades, these precious artifacts travelled thousands of miles—from grand ancient palaces to Western-styled villas in foreign concessions, from modern storehouses made of iron and steel to mountain caves and rural ancestral halls. During those challenging years, individuals, driven by a profound sense of duty, worked tirelessly to preserve the roots and lifeblood of Chinese culture, leaving behind moving stories and enduring legacies.