Treasures continue their journey

"We had received lots of important historical documentation about the relocation from our colleagues in Taipei," says Zheng.

In 2017, the then director of the Palace Museum in Beijing, Shan Jixiang, called for the protection of the locations where the artifacts were stored in Sichuan. A center to research this subject was established at the museum later that year. And in 2021, a memorial museum commemorating this legacy was founded in Chongqing.

The Shanghai exhibition features three chapters.

The first showcases historical photographs and documents about the journey. The second highlights the four years that these artifacts were stored in Shanghai. And the final chapter depicts the artifacts' long journey through multimedia displays.

"Shanghai is the first leg, and we hope to add new materials and improve the exhibition design during the tour," Zheng says.

He adds that there are plans to hold the exhibition in the Palace Museum in Beijing in 2025, when it celebrates its centenary.

It seems many more stories are yet to happen to these once roved relics.

IF YOU GO

The Long March of the National Treasures: An Exhibition Commemorating the Southward Evacuation of the Palace Museum Artifacts

Dec 28-Mar 29, 9 am-5 pm (last entry by 4 pm), Tue-Sun.

Shanghai History Museum, 325 Nanjing Road West, Huangpu district, Shanghai.

021-2329-9999